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t«<TI(V "-
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-T^--
"A WOMAN PERCHED ON A LADDER IN Di-,,
CONVERSATION WITH A MAN
SEATED [N A TREE"
FRANK T. MERRILL
I
V»CTO'-'« r.
R n If a I (E a ti a i> i a u ^ ^ i 1 1 n ii
5Il|r MotkB
at
AU^xau^r^ Dumas
^
-*.-^-^
1 *•
[
^JJ_
i
alir Ifirnmtr ftr ^iirciiirlmmr
IhiUunr II
iBButb far i^ubBrribrre nnig tijrpugl; tlft
A a It t r r a I
Royai Ca/iiiJiiin EJition
LimiteJ to One Tkvu^and Stti
t or 1 Ki .iiT I' '1
Bv TlloM \^ Y. I K WEI 1. \ C'oMlANV
CAST OF CHARACTERS.
AVNK OH- ArsTIilA, (lUClMl lliotlicr.
Akamis, .succcs.siM'ly Alilx' d'l IrrliLiy, Hislidj) of VaiiiiPS,
(it'iicral of tliii Order of .Icsiiits, aud Due dWlaiiit'da.
Akisik, clt-rk of liiit'iua;.
Aknoi x, Ml.l.K., of tlic COllit.
Atiios, Coiiiit' <lo la I'l'i-o.
Hai>i;mi:.\i;x dk Mo.n i i.kzi'n, Dk, rjovernor of Hastille.
Ha/in, foiiiuT lackt'v to Araiiiis.
Hkai'fokt, Die dk, grandson of Henri IV.
HKi,t,rM{K, Makqi'isk Ei.isk m:, of tlio court.
i>KUNoiMN, valet to Cardinal Ma/ariu.
I>KicTAri>ii?HK No. ."), prison name jf IMuliiijie the I'retender.
His( AKKAT, (iKoijfiKs UK, ofUcer of the K iug's ( I uards.
Blasois, servant of .\tlios.
HoNSTKTT. Mkimikkij, Jt'suit niercliaiit of lirenien.
liKA(;KLON.Vi:, liAol I., \'l(:oMTK KK, Soil of AtllOS.
Hkktki'il. c'ollea>,'\ie of Colbert.
Bkiknnk, Dk, secretary to Cardinal Mazarin.
Bi(:Ki\(i}CAM, (rKoK(iK Vu.MKit.s, DuKK OF, of the English
court.
CfcLEsTiN, servant of Tlinchet.
Chalais, Mllk. i>k, of the court.
CiiAKLKs 11., Kinjj of England.
Chatillon, Mli.k. dk, of the court.
Chkvkkisk, Ducukssk ]>k. former confidante of .\nne of
Austria; also known as Marie .Michon.
C01.BKKT, Jka.v-Hai'tistk, successively liursar to Cardinal
Mazarin, Intendant of Finance, and I'rime Minister of
France.
CoxDK, Louis dk Boukbo.v, Pkin< k dk, of the royal house.
CoNKAKT, friend of Fouqiiet.
CREyiY, Mllk. dk, of the court.
Croi'ole, landlord of the Medici tavern.
Ckoi'ole, Mmk., wife of foregoing.
Dangkau, of the court.
Br««. 2. iii
IV
CAST OF ( IIAIIAC IFJIS.
D.VNKAMI', S(M-V;illt of FoiKiiiet.
D'Aki A(iNA\, siicccssivcly Lieutenant and Captain of tlie
Kin:,''s .Mii-l-.('tfi'is, Count, and ^^a^sha! of France.
J)i;sroi ( Hi:s. aid to Colbert.
])"I'.\Mi:itis, larnier-L^eneral of revenue.
])i<ii!V. aid-de-canii) to (ieneral .M(jnk.
J)"l \i'i;i;\ ii.i.K, aid Xo ('oibert.
I)'(Ji;lkans, (Ianton, Die, untdo of Loui.s >CIV.
I)'( lithKAvs, 1)l<'iikssi:, wife (d' fore;j;oing.
1)'( tiM.FANs. I'liiLii-ri:, Due d'A.n.joi; (" Monsieur "'), brother
(d' Louis XI\'.
T)'()i:i,i'an's, DrciiKssi:, IIicMtiirnA ok I'.NiihAXD ( " ila-
danie"'i, wife of foregoing.
F.vrciiiu'x, goldsuntli.
Fou.wr, aid to Colbert.
Foiyi i;r, Xhoi.as. superintendent of finance.
F()r(.>iK;-, ]\Lmi:., wife; of foregoing.
ForgiKr, Ann.', brother of >.'ie(3his.
Fkantois, servant of P>aisemeaux.
Fitii'.Dun H, 1)k, otKeer of tlie Swiss riun"ds.
Cii:( irrKii, .Mmi:.. housekeeju'r of I'lanei.ec.
CiKsvnr.s, I)i:, Captain of the King's Guards.
Gktakh, ariliitect.
(ioi:NM:( . saihjr.
GoriiviLLK, friend of Fouquet.
GuAKFToN, Miss ^[auv, of the Fnglish court.
GHAM>ntNi', >Lvi:u ii.VL t)i;, of the court.
Gi; I MAT II steward of Athos.
(iiMsAKT, Jesuit pliysician.
CiiKNAi ii, pliysiei;in to .Mazarin.
(iiiciiK, CoMii: 1)1. of the court.
IIav.vuii, coUeague of "(dbert.
llKKinciiiA. ("ai;dinai.. Spanisli Jesnit.
.f ii'KMiT, jirintev to Fouquet.
Ki'.Koi Ai.i.i;. Lni:sK i>i;. afterwards Duchess of Fortsmouth.
KiAsr.i;. J)ut(li lislierinan.
Fai'aykttk, Mmk. I)K. of tlie court.
Ii A FoNTAiNK. Ji;.v\ i>i:, friend of Fou(iuet.
T>a.mi!i:kt, Fnglisli general.
L.v Moi.iN'A, Spanisli nurse to Anne of .\ustrla.
L.v VALi.ruK, Mllk. Luuise dk l.a. Baimk li; ISlanc de,
of the court.
Drag. li.
1
CAST OF ('IIAIIACTERS.
I,K Brtx, painter to Fmiquet.
I,K XoTKK, architect to Foiuiuet.
Lf.tkli.iki;, Mkiikl, minister A France.
T-diiKT, friend ot Foiiquet.
liOKiiAiNK. CuF.VALii:!; DK, favorite of I'liilippe d'Orleans.
Ldi IS XIV., King of France.
FiVoKoT, farnier-i,'en('r;il of revenue.
liVuNXK, minister of France.
.MAcCrMxoi;, Scotch Jesuit.
.MAi.iidiiNK, friend of Manicanip.
.Man( INI, Mm.k.. HoirrKxsK dk, niece of Cardinal Ma.'.arin.
Mam iM, .Mi,i,K. .Makii; dk, niece of Cardinal Ma/.arin.
M AMixi, Mt.LK. (.M.YMi'K DK, uiecc of Cardinal Mazariu.
.Manicamt. friend of De (ruiche.
MAuruiAi.i, i)rison name of Philipi)e the Pretender.
.Mai;ia Tkuksv, l^)aeen of France.
Mai; IN'. colIea,i,'iie of Colbert.
Mauini. \'enetian Jesuit.
.Ma/.ai;i\, (Julio (Julks), C.vkdinal, Prime Minister of
France.
.Mennkvii.i.k, adventurer.
MoLi UK, Jkan-Uai'Tiste Poquklix de, friend of Fouquet.
^foNK, Enf,'lish general, afterwards Duke of Albemarle.
.MoNTAi.Ais, Mlle. AruE DE, of the court.
.MoNTKsrA.v, De, of the court.
.MorTKviM,E, M.MK. DE, of the court.
MousQi'EToN', or MousTox, steward of Porthos.
Xavaillks, Mmk. dk. of the court.
NoKKoLK, Di'KK OK, English admiral.
Oi.ivAix, lackey to the Vicomte de Ih-agelonne.
I'akkv, servant of Charles II.
Pki.lissox, or P/lissox, friend of Fouquet.
Pkui Kitix, Jeax, tailor to the King.
!'nrLii'i>E (known also as Pertaudiere No. 'A, Marchiali, and
'I'lie Iron Mask), twin brother of Louis XIV., and Pretender
to the throne of France.
PiTTitrxo, painter to Cropole.
I'l.AxcHET, former lackey to D'Artagnan ; now grocer.
I'oKTiios, successively Baron du Vallon, de Bracieux, de
Pierrefonds.
pKEssKixv, Louis CoxsTAXT DE, Captain of the King's frigate
" La Pomime."
Brig. 2.
VI
CAST OF CHARACTERS.
KAn.vrn, lackoy to D'Aitagnan.
Kix'iiKsTEU, WiLMHT, E.VKi. OK, of the Kii^'Hsh court.
Rose, secietaiy to Louis XI \'.
Saint-Akin AN, ("omie j>e, favorite of Louis XIV.
Saint-Maus, 1)e, Governor of lie de Saint-Marguerite.
Saint-Remy, De, .steward to (iaston d'Orleans.
Saint-Remy, ]\Lme. de. wife of foregoing.
Sei.ijon, pvi.soner of l>a.stille.
SoissoNS, ("oMTEssE DE, of tlie court.
SrEWAiiT, Mess, of tlie English court.
Toiiv, servant of Fouquet.
ToNNAv-CiiAKENTK, Mlle. Athenais DE, afterwards Mnie.
de Montespan, oi tlie court.
Valentinoi.s, Mme. de, sister of De Guiclie.
Valot, ])hysician to Louis XIV.
Yanel, successively counsellor in I'arlianient and I'rocureur
General.
Vanel, Mme. Maikjuerite, wife of foregoing.
Vanin, farmer-general of revenue.
Vatel, stewai ^ to Fouquet.
YiLLEKov, De, of the court.
V^AKDES, ViCOMTE DE, of the COUrt.
WosTi'LH, Rakon von, Ge'-uion Jesuit.
York, James, Duke of, brother of Charles IL, of England.
Yves, sailor.
Bng.2.
CONTENTS.
VOL II.
CUAPTEB.
I.
II.
III.
IV.
I
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
X.
XI.
XII.
XIII.
XIV.
XV.
XVI.
XVII.
XVIII.
XIX.
XX.
XXI.
XXII.
XXIII.
XXIV.
XXV.
XXVI.
Brai!^ :;.
PAOK.
Sword-Thrusts tx thk Water ... 1
B.MSKMl. UX Oi; MONTLEZUX 18
Thk KiNfi's ('AUD-rARTv L'G
The Small Accolnt.s of M. Baiskmkaux
1)K MONTLEZUN ,*i6
The Breakfast wnn .M. ue Balsemeaux, 40
The .SecOMJ StOKV of the BEKTAUUlfeKE, 5'A
T IE Two Friends 01
Madame de Belli^re's Silverware . . 08
The Dowrv 7t
(ioD"s Ground 81
Threefold Love 89
The .Ikalou.sy of M. i>e Lorraine . . 94
Monsieur i.s Jealous of De (Jukiie . 101
The Mediator 109
The Advisers 117
Fontaixebleau 128
The Bath l:V3
The Butterfly Chase 130
What was caicjht ix the Butterfly
Chase 141
The Ballet of the Seasons .... loO
The Nymphs of the Bark of F(tNTAiNE-
HLEAu ino
What w.\s said under the Royal Oak, lO.'i
The KiNCi's Anxiety 174
TiiE KiNo"s Secret 179
Night 188
In which Madame acquires the Proof
that ky listening One can hear What
IS Said . . , 196
vii
via
CONTENTS.
XXVII.
XWIII.
XXIX.
XXX.
XXXI.
XXXII.
XXX III.
XXXIV.
XXXV.
XXXVf.
XXXVII.
XXXVIII.
XXXIX.
XL.
XLI.
XLII.
XLIII.
XLIV.
XLV.
XLVI.
XL VI I.
XLV II I.
XLIX.
L.
LI.
LII.
LIII.
LV.
LVI.
LVII.
LVIII.
Brag .■
.\U.\MI.s' r'oRRKSrOXDEXCK
TiiK Okdkki.v Clkrk
F()\T.\INi:iil.K Ai; AT Two O'CLOCK IN- TIIK
MoKMNf;
Tin: LAIiVKINTH
\\k\\ MaLICOKNK IIAK liEKN TCKNEI) OUT
OF Tin: HoTKL OF THK BkAT PaoN
What a< i iam.v hai'I'kxi:i> ix thk Iv.n
OK Till-; I'.KAU Pao.V
A Jk.siit of thf Klkve.vth Vkau
Thk Statk Hkcukt
A Mission
As IIaI'I'V as a PlilNCK
Thk Stouy of a Naiad and of a Duvad,
('oN'( I.rsiov OF THK StoUV OF A NaIAI)
AM) OF A DitVAIi
KoV.VI. l'sY(HOI,0(;V
What nkithkk Naiad nok Duyad fokk-
SAW
Thk Nkw (Ik.vkkai. of thk Jksiits . .
Thk Stok.m
Thk IvAiN
'202
211
21 <J
•>07
242
2.",2
2;").S
2(;;)
27-S
21)3
TfHSY
-Madamk's Focu Chancks
Thk LoTTKitY
.MAI,A(iA
Thk Lkttek from M. dk H.viskmkaix
In which thk Kkadki; will hk (;rati-
KIED To SKE THAT I'oliTHOS HAS LOST
No.NE OF HIS Stkkn(;th
Thk Hat .vnd thk Chkksk
I'lanchkt'.s ('otntry Skat
What was seen from 1*i.an( het"s House,
How roKTHos, Trim HKN. and 1'i.anchkt
I'ARTEl) FrIKXUS, thanks TO D'Au-
TA(;XAN
The Prkskntation of Porthos
Kxi'LAN'ATIONS
Mau.\mk and Dk Guiche
MoNTAI.AIs AND MaIJCORNE
How De \V^aude.s was received at Court,
;i2.3
.•{.{1
;uo
.{47
.So7
'M\~)
.•!71
.'!71)
'.VM
410
HO
421
42(;
4;{(»
4;54
44(»
447
454
( i>.\l'K.\JS.
IX
LiX. TuR DrKL .1«)4
lA'. TiiK Ki\(;",s SiprKK 47.5
LXI. Aftkk Sui'PKii 478
LXIl, How I)'Akt.v<;nan' nisf'HAK(;Ki) i hk M is
SION' WlIK II Tin; KlNCi (lAVK HIM . 4S2
LXI 1 1. Thk Hunt 4,SS
LXIV. 'Vnr. riivsiriAX 4<»1,'
LXV Lv \viri( II D'AKTAciXAN ke('()(jmzks that
hi: was MiSTAKHN and IHAT MANirAMl*
was 1!i(;ht 497
LXVl. Tif?: Advantauk of havinc; Two Stiu.ncjs
TO Oxk's Bow r>i)'J
LXVII. M. Malicoknk, Kkki'ku of hik Kkiokus
OF Fka.\( E . 51w
T. XVII I. Thk .Ioukxky olO
LXIX. Woman's Tkiumi-h r/J'J
LXX. Thk Fikst Quakkel 027
r.XXI. DKsi'Aru oof)
LXXII. The Flkjht r>40
LXXIII. How Louis spknt the Time hetwken
Half-Past Ten and MinxKiirr . . 'y-lG
LXXIV. The Amkvssadoks ooO
LXXV. Chaillot ru'yT
I-XXVI. Madame oOa
LXXVII. Mademoiselle de la Vallikre's Haxd-
keuchief 571
LXXVII I. In which are discussed (Jardeners,
Ladders, and Maids of Hoxor . . 070
LXX IX. WhK H TREATS OF ('AKI'EXTRY, AND FUR-
NISHES Details upox the Method of
COXSTRUOTINfJ STAIRCASES r)<S2
LXXX. The Tokihlioht Pkomexade .... /)Mt
LXXXI. The Ghost 598
LXX XII. The Portrait r.0.">
LX.XXIII. Hamptox Court Oil
LXX XIV. The Coukikr from Madame .... ()22
LXXXV. Saixt-.\i(;xan follows Malicorne's Ad-
vice 031
LXXXVI. Two Old Friends 636
Brag. 3.
'cP
•>7r-.- *
--.. . ;- . -V - ,1-
. • '■■A ■
ip'r^C
fit--' .
^iv
s?j
■^;
KU
I
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
Vol. II.
Drawings by Frank T. Merrill.
PAOE
A Woman i-KuciiKn on a Ladi.kr in Dkkp ((.nvkksation with a
Max seatki) in a Thee. (Pii.'e 2^20) ». ,. .
AraMIS MKdlANICALLV TIKNEI) THE LeaVKS OF THE KK-ilSTEK... 45
"Boat Ahov!". .
r- 1
"IIeli'I Hem- I " cried Two Vok es 177
He DENT HIS Knee iiefoke her ani> tenueki.y Kissei. her Hand, L'Tf,
He hei.i> iii-f Hat over the Yocng Giki/s Heap ;!.-,2
I)e (iriCIlE ALSO TlRNEI) AND FlKEI) 47,1
"KoK t;ik Last Time, Mademoiselle, will vor .Si-eak?" hM
The Kino watched the Trookess oi' La Valliere's Poktrait, G31
TIras. 2.
.M
rt'TfiM
• -iV'':/'!
THE VICOMTE DE BRAGELONNE.
VOLUME II.
CHAPTER I.
8WOKD-TIII£i:sTS IV THK WATKR.
On- bptakins hi>n.s,-lf t„ De Guiohe, Ra..ul fn.uul the latter
con ver..,.;, with J)e Wanles an.l Manica.n,.. Sim- the ad
venture of the barrieade, De Wardes had tiated Raou \s L"
•stran.^er Ihey acte.l as if there were nothin-^ between then,
.n tact they see„,ed to be una,.quan,ted with ea h the '
As Raoul e,,tered, I)e Guiehe walke.l n,. to him and as he
v;:;^::'. r ""''\^'""^ l'-^-^' glan<.ed'rapidl";t; e^w^
>oung men hoping to rea.l on their faces what was nassi.m
through the.r nunds. De Wardes was cold and n enetrab e
Man.<-amp ;:..„,ed lost in the all-absorbing .■on2> u Lt of
he trnnnung of his dress. De Uniche led ^ia m in o a,
adjoining room, and made him sit down
'• How well you look .' " said he
hai>JyT '' '''^^''' '*'^''^''" "'^'^'''^ ^''^""'' " f°^ I ^"^ far from
]SJ\l^ ''''*'' ^■""' ^''^"' ^-^ ^^ith me, is it not, Raoul? Our
love affairs are not making much pro-ress "
-N' inr.ch the better, so far as vou^are concerned count-
•• Oh, in that case do not distress yourself, f„i- „ot onlv i.n T
-.y unhappy, but wli.t is more, I%ee others ^^IZ^
- in,, ^on sau u^c-, gro\N, and take possession of me ; I have
2
THE VirOMTK />/■; BRAGELOSXK.
i
summoned all your iulvice as well as all my own stren^'th ; 1
have eonsi.lere.l in every detail tl.e nntmtnnate attair m wlneh
I liave heeonie entan-led. 1 have smmded its deptlis. it is an
abyss. I know . hut levei- mind, I shall ,lci> my way."
"Madman: yon iMnmit take anotln'r step without bringing
about your ruin to-day, your death to-murnnv."'
" Come what may 1 "'
" l)e (niithe '."
(' I 'vc done with reflections; listen."
"Oh. you think yi)U will succeed; you believe that Madame
will love you vet ! " ,
•• Kaou'l, I believe nothing'; 1 hope, because hop.- exists in
man. anil be<'ause it lives in him until death.""
.' l!ut even iidmittim; that vou obtain this l.ui-ed-for ha].-
piness, you certainly are more suivly h.st than il' you taile.l to
obtain it."' ...
<• 1 beo- you, itaoul. not t<. interrupt mc ;iny more; you will
nev.T convince m.-, tor I tell you bctorehand 1 do not wish to
beconvinced; I liave -one too far to turn back ; 1 have sutlere.l
so deeplv that death would be a blessin- to me. I no Ioniser
love to ina<lness, llaoul, I am jealous to the ixunt ..1 perlect
kaoul struck his hands together with a gesture resemulmg
anger.
" Well ? " said he. . , . r
" Well or ill. it matters little. This is what I claim trom
you my friend, mv brother. For three days Madame has been
in tiie inidst of wild gavety. The iirsl day 1 dared not look at
her- I hated her for not being as wretched as I was. 1 he
next dav [ could not lose sight of her; and she — yes,
llaoul, f thought I noticed it — she looked at me, it not with
pity, at least with scuue gentleness. Kut between her looks
and mine a shadow intervenes. The sniHe of another calls
forth her smile. Reside her liorse there gall )ps constantly a
liorse which is not mine; in her ear vibrates unceasingly a
caressm.' voice which is not mv voice. For three days, Kaoul
my heiufhas been on tire ; Hames •■ourse through my veins,
must drive away that shadow ; 1 must destroy that smile ; I
must silence that voice.'"
Vou wi
^h to kill Monsieur'.'" cried Kaoul.
"No; 1 am not jealous of .Monsieur; I am not jealous of
the husband, I am jealous of the lover."'
swoRD-rnitrsrs ix tin: wmeh.
w\
"Of the lover '.' "
" ll.ivc voii nut iioticod it, you who ouco wero so koon-
si-l.t-'d •."•■'
•' Voii are jealous of M. ile l^iickiii^'liaiii '.' "'
" Deadly jealous 1 "
'• Again* '.'""
'•Oil, this time the affair can easily be arranged between \is ;
I have taken the initiative, and have sent liiin a note."'
•• Y'ou have written to him '.' It was you, then '.' ''
" llow do yini know tliat '.' "
" I know because he told nie. See,'' and he handed De
Cuiche the letter he had received almost at the same time as
his own. De (Juiche read it eagerly.
'• He is a brave man ; more than that, he is a gallant man,"
said he.
•• Ves, certainly the duke is a gallant man. I need not ask
if you wrote liim in as pleasant terms."'
•• I will show you my letter when you have gone to him on
my behalf."
'• Hut that is well-nigh impossible.''
" What is ■.' ■'
" For me to go to him."
" Why .so '.' "
" The duke, like you, consults n\e."
'• Oh ! yoii will give me the preference, 1 presume ! Listen !
tins is what I beg you to say to his grace — it is very sim-
ple — that one of these days, to-day, to-morrow, the follow-
ing day, any day, iu fact, that suits him, I wish tcj meet him
at Vincennes."
" Reflect."
" I thought I told you that my reflections were done with ? "
•' The duke is a stranger, he is on a mission which renders
him inviolable — Vincennes is very near the Hastille."
'• The eonseqaences concern me alone.''
" Hut the reason for this meeting 'r* Wliat motive do you
wish me to give him ? "
•■ He will not ask you for any, you may be sure, — the duke
must be as tired of me as I am of him ; he must hate me as
muili as I hate him. 1 implore you, therefore, to find the
duke, and if it is necessary for me to beg him to accept my
offer, I will do so."
" That is useless — the duke has informed me that he wishes
77//; ViroMIE hE liirKiEl.oWE.
|»c \V;irclt s ciui iil\v;iys join us; l.-t
Vou are still cool ti) each other,
to spoak to 111.-. 11.' in phiyin- .iinls will, tlw Km.;. I-.>t us
1,0th 140 th.'r.'. 1 will .Iraw hnn asi-l.' into tin- ■.mINtv. \ mu
will rt'iiiain at a distainc Two wonls will suttiic."'
.. V.T.v ^,.io<l. 1 will take !)•' Wanlfs to k.'.']. ui count.'-
uaucc."
" Whv uot Maiucaui])
us leave hiui here.""
" Ves. that is true."'
»• He knows nothiiir '.' "
" No. absolutely nothing,'.
then '.' ■■
" Has he tohl you nothing,' '' "
.■ i ,10 not like the man. and as I never liked him, it, happens
that we are no cooler to-day tlian yesterday. '
•• Let >is start, then."
All four des<-ende(l the stairs. De (luiche's carria^'e was
waitiu" at the iloor and took them to the i'alais-Uoyal.
On tlie way Kaoul .levised a plan ol' action. Sole depositary
„f t\v(. secrets, he di.l not desj.air of comludiiii,' some arran^,'e-
ment between the two parties. He knew lie had inthicnce
over I'.uckinKham, lie realized liis as.'eiidency over De (.uiche,
and for this reason thing's did not seem to him so liope-
iess On reaehin- the i^iAWry, which was a^lo'.v and in
which the most beautiful and the most illustrious women ot
(he e.mrt moved about like stars in their own atmosphere
of liL'ht, Ka(ml could not help for-ettin- De (iuiche t.u- a
moment to ^'aze at L<mise, who. in the midst of her com pan-
ions like a fascinated dove, was looking' intently at the royal
circle ablaze with -old and diamonds. The men were stand-
in" the Kin-' ah)ne was seated. Kaoul perceived Uucknig-
Iciili The letter was ten feet from Monsieur, in the midst ot
a -roup of French and Kn-lish win. were adminii- lus aristo-
cratic bearing and the ineonii.arablemagiuticence of his ch.the.s.
Some of the old courtiers remembered having seen his father,
l)Ut their recollections were in no way detrimental to the son
Huckingham was talking with Fouquet, who was speaking ot
Be'le-Isle. .. • , „ 1
" ' cannot a])pro.ach him just now, said l\aoul.
" Wait and choose your time, but finish everything at once.
I am all on tire." . .
" See, here is our deliverer," said Kaoul, perceiving D Ar
swonn-Tiini'sTs rx rm: w\ti:ii. h
t,i,'ii.m. will', iiia'^iutiri'iit ill liis new iiiiii'urm of caii'iiiu of tlie
,i,u-ki't.MM-i. lia'l jusi ."lU'it'il tli<' UMllt'iy 111 L,Maii(l sfyli'. And
lie >i,iit<'il liiuai'l^ l>"Artiii;iiaii.
•• The I cimtc ill' la l''i'n' has lifi'ii lnokiiiK' fur yim, clicvalier,"
sai'l Ilaiiul.
•■ \ IV-." ri'iiliril l)'Arta','iiaii, •• 1 havi' just left hiiu."
•• I iiii(l(M>tiHHt that yoti wiTi" til pass a |.art nt llu^ ui^^lit
tiii;i'tlii'r."
•• AiTaiij,'i'iiiftits havf hecu iiiaili' fm- iis to iiicet aj,Miii."
As lie aiissvcn'il l{aiiiil, I)' Arta,L,'Maii was ludkiiii,' alisciitly tn
11,'lit ami li'tt as if sockiiii; some out' in the cmwil or sonit'thiii^
III till' room. Suilik'iily his eye U'camt' tixcil like that of an
r ;!(' (Ill ]icrci'iviiii,' its \n*'y. ivaonl follownl tlir lUicitiuii ot
t...s ■^'iaiii'i' anil saw that !)f (iuiilu' and l)'Artaj,Miaii witc bow-
ing- to iMih otiitT. but he coulil not distiii'^niish to whom the
caiitaiirs iiiu'stioiiiu'^' and hanj,'hty j,'lance was ;.,'iven.
•• M. Ic Clicvalii'r," said Maoul, '• yun are the only man who
rail liilp inc."
•• 111 what way, my dear vicomte ? "
•• I'.v iiitfiiuptiiiL,' M. de Hin'kini,'hain, to whom I have a few
wolds to say ; and since he is talkiiif,' with .M. Koiuinet yon
iiiidiMstand tliat I cannot throw myself into the midst of the
ciiuvcrsat iiiii.""
•• All. so M. Fouijiiet is there, is he '.'" asked D'Artagnan.
•• Do you not see him '.' Look ! "
•• Faith, yes 1 " Hut do yuu think that I have a better right
tlian yon '! "
" Von are more important."
'• Ah, tliat is true ; I am captain of the musketeers. T was
]iruiiiiscd this rank for .so long and have held it for so short
a time tLat I always forget my dignity."
•• \o\\ will render me this service, will you not ? "
■• M. Foiiipiet — the devil I "
•• Have you anything against him ? "
•• No. on the contrary it is rather he who might have some-
tliiiig against me. However, as it will be neces.sary some day
iir other — "'
'• Wait ! 1 think he is looking at you ; or might it be — "
'• No. no, you are not mistaken, it is indeed to me that he is
doing this honor.'"
'• The time is ripe, then.''
'• Vou think so '! "
i
^
6
THE VICOMTE DE BKAOELONNE.
" Go, I beseecli you."
" I will "'
l)e Guiche di.l not lose sight of Raoul, who motioned to hini
that cvorvthing lv;ul been arranged.
D'.Vrtagna.i went straight to tlu; group and l.owed conrte-
onslv to .Cl. Fonquet as well as to the others.
<• How .h) von do. M. d'Artagnan? We were speaking of
rudle-lsle-en-.Mer," said Fou(inet, with that knowledge ot the
world and that calm look whieh takes half a lifetime to
ae-pure, ami which some men, in spite of all their study, never
^'''''"iielle-Isle-en-.Mer ? Ah," said D'Artagnan, •• that belongs
to von, 1 believe, .M. Foucpiet." ,,
■' Monsieur has just told me that he gave it to the King,
said r>nrkingbam. •• Yonr servant. M. d'Artagnan."
'. 1)„ you know P,elle-lsle, chevalier ■.'■• asked bouquet ot the
musketeer. . ., r i n' \ <■
.' I have been there only once, monsieur, replied D Arta-
gnan, in-omptly and courteously.
'• Did yon remain there long ? "
" Scarcely a day, my lord."
" Did you see it ? '"
« All that could be seen in a day." ^^
« That is a great deal when one has yonr eyes, monsieur.
D'Artagnan bowed.
Meantime Kaoul had made a sign to Buekiugham.
<. M le Surintendaiit," said Buckingham, «• I shall leave to
vou the captain, who is more conversant than I with b.astions,
scarps, and eounter-seari.s, to join a friend who is beckoning
to me. You understand — "
Whereupon P.uckinghara left the group and advanced tow-
ards Kaoul, stoppm- an insi.int at the table where ^ladame,
the queen mother, the young CMeen,aml the K-ng were i-laying.
" C;ome. Raonl," said De Guiche, " tliere he is ! Hurry up .
TIavin.' paid a compliment to Madame, ]'>uckinghani con-
tinued hi"s wav towards Kaoul, who advanced to meet him.
De Guiche ■remained in his place, following the duke with
his eyes. The manceuvre was planned in sneli a way that the
meeting of the two young aien took place in the space lei t
vacant between the group ot card players and the gallery,
where some ot the more sober minded gL-ntlenien were prome-
nading, and pausing now and then to converse.
SWORr>-TH RUSTS IS THE WATF.R.
But at the inoineiit wlieii the two lines were alxtut to unite
tliey were sejjaiated by a third. It was .Monsieur advancing'
towards the Duke of Huckinj^hani. Mousieuf wore on his
painted and pert'uined lips his most cluirniini,' smile.
'• (treat heavens ! "' said he, with atTectioiuite courtesy,
' what have I just heard, my dear duke '.' "'
lUickiuf^haiu turned. 1I(> had not seen Monsieur approach ;
he had heard his V(jice, tliat was all. In si)ite ot' hiniselt' he
shuddered. A slif^ht pallor overs]irea<l his cheeks.
'• Monseigneur," said lie, " whar, has been told your High-
ness that seems to cause you such great surpu'lse ? ''
'• Something which makes me jterfectly hopeless, monsieur,"
said the prince, " something which will be a grief to the whole
court."
" Ah! your Highness is too good,'' said liuckiugham, " for I
see that you allude to my departure."
" Exactly."
" Alas, ^Ionseigneur, in J'aris five or six days hence m;y
departure will be a cause of grief only to me.'"
De (xuiche overheard the words from where lie was standing,
and shuddered in his turn.
" His departure," he murmured ; " what is he saying? "
Philippe continued with the same gracious manner :
" I can easily understand that the King of Great Britain is
recalling you, mcuisieur. It is well known that his Majesty
Oharles II., who prides himself on his knowledge of courtiers,
cannot do without you. Hut that we would lose you without
regret, that I cannot understand. Accept the assurance of
mine, therefore."
" Monseigneur," said the duke, " believe me, if I leave the
court of France — "
" It is because you are recalled ; I understand that, but if
you think that my wish would have weight with the Ki'ig, I
will volunteer to beg his Majesty Charles II. to leave you with
us a little while longer."
" So much kindness overwhelms me, my lord," replied
iWickingham ; "but I have received positive orders. My stay
in France was limited; I have prolonged it at the risk of
I'lfi'iiding my gracious sovereign. It was only to-day I re-
membered that I should have gone four days ago."
'■ Oh ! " exclaimed Monsieur.
" Yes J " added Buckingham, raising his voice in such a
THE VICOMIl-: />/; HRAGELONNE.
B;^:>
manner as to be overhoanl by tlie princesses, " however, I
resemble the man from the east who was mail for several davs
from a beantiftil dream !ie had had, but who one tine niornint;
awi)ke entindy cured, and uite rational. The court df France
has environments similar to this dream, my lord : hut at leni,nh
one awakes aiul leaves. Therefore I cannot prolon;.; mv visit,
as your IIi,;,'hness has kindly asked me to do."
'• When do you leave,"' inciuired I'hilippe, with a maiuicrfull
of interest.
" To-morrow, my lord, — my carriages have been ready for
three days."
The Due d"Orleans nodded his head as if to sij^niify :
" Since your decision is made, duke, there is nothing to be
said.''
Buckingham raised his eyes to the (pieen's; his glance met
that of .\nne of .Vustria, who thanketl him and showed lier
approval of what he had said by a gesture. This gesture was
return' ,i by the duke, who hid inider a smile the contractiwi-
of his heart. Monsieur moved away in the direction by which
he had coiue. At the same moment, however, I)e (Jniche ap-
proached from the opposite dircctiou. Raoul feared that the
impatient young nuin had come to make the proposition him-
self, and hastened on before him.
" Xo, no, Itaoul, all is useless now," said De Guiche, ex-
tending both hands to the duke aiul drawing him behind a
column.
" Oh : " he continued, " forgive me for what I wrote to you ;
I was mad ! (Jive me back my letter."
'^ It is true,"' replied the young duke, with a melancholv smile.
*' You cannot be angry witli me any longer.''
'•Oh : duke, duke, forgive me ! My friendship, mv everla.st-
ing friendship — '"
" Why, indeed, should you be angry with me, count, from the
moment I leave her, never to see her again '.' '"
Ifaiiul heard these words and, realizing that his presence
was now useless between the two young men, who no longer
had any but friendly words to exidiange, stepped back a few
paces. This movement brought him near Dc Wardes, who
was talking of the dejiarture of Buckingham. The one to
whom he was speaking was the Chevalier de Lorraine.
'• .\ wise retreat ! '' said De Wardes.
" Why so :' "
swni;/)~THnr-srs ix the water.
9
'• P.prause it saves the dear duke a swcu-d-thrust."
At this they both hxughed.
i;;iiiul. indii,'nant, turned round with a frown; the hlood
iiiiHiiiled to his teniph^s, liis lips curh'd.
'I he ("hev;ili('r (h' Lorraine turned on his lieel ; De Wardes
stnuil Still and waiff^d.
•• Monsieur," said llaoul to De Wardes, '• w! you not break
MMirsclt' oi' the habit of iusultin;^ the absent'.' Vesterdav it
was .M. d'ArtaL,'naii ; to-day it is .M. de Buekin<,diani.''
■•Monsieur," said De Wardes, "you well know that oeea-
sionally I insult, too, those who ar(^ present."
Di' Wanles was near Maoul. their shoulders touehed, tlieir
liiis were l)i>nt towards eaidi other, as if to catch lire from tlie
JHMt of their breath ami of their an.<,'er.
It was evident that one was at the heisjjht of his fury, the
other at the end of his patience. Suddenly they heard a voi(!e
hi'hind them full of grace and courtesy saying: "I heanl
some one call nie, I think."
They turned; it was D'Artagnan who, with smiling eye and
laughing face, had just laid his hand on De Wardes' shoulder.
Kaoul step])ed aside to make rcKun for the musketeer. De
Wardes trend)led from head to foot, grew pale, but did not
move.
D'Artagnan, still with the same smile, took the place which
Itaoul had left f(n' him.
■■ Thanks, my dear Raoid," said he ; " M. de Wardes, I want
til talk with you. Do not go away, llaoul ; every one may hear
what I have to say to ;\I. de Wardes."
Then his snule faded, and his glance became as cold and
as sharp as a steel blade.
•■ I am at your ord(n's, monsieur," said De Wardes.
'■ IMonsieur," resumed D'Artagnan, " for a long time I have
sought an ojiportunity of sjieaking with you ; to-day only have
I foiuid it. As to the place, it is poorly chosen, I admit ; but
;t you will trouble yourself to come as far os my apartments,
which are on the staircase at the end of the gallery — ''
•■ I will follow you, monsieur,"' said De Wardes.
'■ Are yon alone here, monsieur ? '' asked D'Artagnan.
''No: 1 have >[. Manicamp and M. de Guiche, two of my
frirnds.''
•• Very good," said D'.Vrtagnan ; "but two persons are too
few ; you can tiud others, can you not '.' "
I
i
i i-
10
Till-: vicDMii-: Die BRA(!i:ij)\.xi:.
Ill tlic yoiui^' man, who did not know at
uing. "As many as you uisli."'
you, monsieur,
la F."'
re
<'<'fTtainIy : "
what l)'Arla,LMiau was
" l''ri('nds '.' "
'■ \i's, launsicur."
" Good tri.'uds ■.' '"
'• Xo iloul)t (,f that."
"Well, su])i.ly a goddly nundn'r, I lie.L,'. Ami, llauul, vou
come too. and hriii;^ M. de (iuiche and the Duke of liiick-
in,i;ham. if you please,"
•• Odds : monsieur ! What a furore ! " replied |)e Wardes,
tryinj.; tn smile.
The eaptain made him a si^'u witli his liands recommending
him to })atience.
" I am never exeitalue. Therefore I wait fo
said he.
•' J>o so."
" Au revoir, then I "
.Vnd he turned towards his apartment.
DWrtagnan's room was not vacant ; the Comt
was waiting there, seated in the recess of a wi
" Well,"' sa;d he, seeing D'Artagnau enter.
" Well," said the latter, " M. tie Wardes in company with
some of his friends as well as of ours lias done mo the
honor of paying me a- little visit."' In fact, behind the mus-
keteer appeared I>e Wardes and Manicamp.
De (iui(die and iSuckingham follo\N"d in .some surprise, not
knowing what was expected of them.
Uaoul came in with two or three gentlemen. As he eiiteied
his glance wandered around the room, and perceiving the count
\w. went and [iliiced himself by him.
D'.Vrlagnan rt>ccivc(l his visitors with all the courtesv of
which he was cai)able, at the same time preserving his calm,
unmoved demeanor.
All present were men of distinction, occupying posts of
honor at court. After he hail apologized to each one for the
ti-ouble he had caused, he turne(l towards J)e Wardes, who, in
spite of his self-command, could not prevent his face from
showing SI line surprise mingled with uneasiness.
" Monsieur."" said he. '• now that we are here, outside of tiie
KinL;"s ]ialace, and can speak without failing in the matters of
prn|iriety. 1 ;im going to inform you why I liave taken the
libert\ of asking you to come to my apartmeut and to meet
SWonn-TIIRLSTS IX THE WATER.
11
with tlipse sfi'itlPi'ifii- I hiivo Ipuriioil thi(ni<,'h my friend.
the ("niiito <U> ]a F^re, (if the injurious reports you have
iieeu lirculatiiiL,' eoiieernint,' me. Vou have stated " tliat you
cciisider me your mortal enemy, beeauso you say I was your
l.ithi'v's."
•■ 'I'iiat is true, monsieur; I did say so,"' repiied l)e W'arch-s,
whose ]ialiid face became slii,ditly t1ushe(l.
■• So you accuse me <if a crime, of a iault, or of some cowardly
act. I l)ei,^ you to s[iecify _\our charj^'es."
•• liefore witnesses, iiKjusieur ? "
•• Yes, certainly, liefore witnesses, .and you see that I have
chosen tliose wjio are exfierts in matters of honor.""
" Vou do not appreciate my delicacy, monsieur. I have
accused you, it is true; but I have kept the secret of the
accusation. I entered into no details ; but contented myself
iy f'xpressin.i; my liatred before tliose for whom it was almost a
duty to inform you of it. Vou have taken no account of my
disiTction, althou,s,'h you wen^ interested in niv silence. I do
not rccoi,'nize in that your customary prudence, M. i'.Vrta,-
uniiin."
I)'Artai,nian bit the corner of his mustache.
■■Monsieur,"' said he, '• I have alread\ had the honor of
ask i Hi,' you to state the grievances you have ai/ainst me.'"'
".Vloud'.'-'
•• ( )f course.""
" In that case I shall sjieak."
••Speak, monsieur,"' said i)"Arta,i;nan, bowini,', " we are all
li^tcuins; to you.'"
" Well, monsieur, it is a (piestion not of a wrong against me,
but of one agailist my father.'"
•' Vou have already said that."
•• Ves, l)ut there are cert.'in subjects one apjiroaches with
lic'^itation.""
'• If tliis hesitation really exists. I beg you to overcome it."
'• Kven in case there is a question of a disgraceful action ? "
'• In any case.'"
I lie witnesses of this scene began by looking at one anotlier
in some uneasiness. They were reassured, however, on seeing
tluit IVArtagnun's face Itetrayed no emotion. De Wardes
iiianitained silence.
" S])eak, monsieur.'' said the musketeer. " You must see you
arc keeping us waiting.''
.■UM
M
i f - ^
V2
THE VK'oMTi: !)!■: lUiAar.Losxi:.
" Well, listen. My father loveil iv noble lady, and this lady
loved my father."
D'Artagnan and Athos exchanLjed looks.
l)e Wardt's continued :
•• M. dWrfaLcnan found some letters which indicati d a meet-
inj^, substituted himself under disguise tor the one who was
expected, a'.'(l todk advanta,L,'e ol the darkness.'"
"That is true,"" said l)".\rtagnan. .\ ^li^jht m.iiinur was
heard aniouLT thoM' present.
*■ Yes, I committed that dishonorable act. \'ou should have
added, monsieur, since you are so impartial, that at the time at
\vhi( h the event with which you reproach m<^ hajipened 1 was
not yet twenty-one years old."
"The act is none the less shamff'ni." siiid De W'lndes. -'and
a gentleman who has atlaimvl lhcai;i'(d' reason should not
commit any act of indidicacy."' .\ second murmur wa,s lizard,
this time of astoiusl'.nifnt, and almost of doubt.
••It was ind'.ed a shameful dece|iti(in," said I)'.\rtaL;nan,
" and 1 have not waited for M. de Wartles to rejiroach me fur
it in (jrder to re[iroacli myself for it. and very bitterly too.
At;e has nuide me nioii^ n'asonable, and, above all, more lionest,
and I liave atoned for this wroiiu' by lasting,' rej^rets. Hut 1
appeal to you. Lientlenu'u ; this occurred in 1()J(>, and, fortu-
nately for you, it was a time wliich you kiiowoidy by tradition,
a time when love was not over-scrupulous, when consciences
did not distil, as to-day, jjoison ami bitterness. We weie
youni,' soldiers, always tii^diting, always beiin^ attacked. Our
swords always luisheathed or at least lialf-drawn ; always
facini,' death. War made us liard. and the cardinal pressed us.
Indeetl I have repented, and furthermore. I still repent, M.
de Wardes.'"
" Yes, monsieur, I understand that, for the .ict needed re-
pentance ; but nevertheless you were the cause of the lady's
disgrace. The one of whiun you are speaking, covereil with
shame, and bowed down beneath the insult, left France and
no one ever knew what became of lier — "
" Oh ! "" said the ("omte de la Fere extending his arm tow-
ards De Wardes with a sinister smile. ■' Oh. yes. nR)nsieur.
she was seen : and there are even some here who having heard
her spoken of could recognize lier from tlie portrait I am about
to give <.f lier. 81ie was a woman of twenty-five, sleuJei',
pale, and fairdiaired, and she was married in England."
swoRD-TiinrsTs /.v rrfr: water.
13
•■ Manic'l '.' "" oxclainu'il l)e Wardos.
•• All I Vdu (lid not know that slit> was married '.' You sfp
that we arc better iutorined than you. M. de Wardes. Do
yoii know that siie was usually called 'Milady,' without
lull her ([ualiticatiou '.' '"
•■ \'cs. inousieur, I know that.'"
••(ircat heavens I "■ inurnuircd liuckiuf^fliani.
'• Wrll. that woman, who canu> from Knj,'laiid, returned, to
ll'u'Iaiiil. after havin<,' thrice conspired ai,^iinst the life of M.
li'Aita'^Mian. That was justice, was it not '.' 1 wished it. since
M. dArta^'nan had insulted her. liut that which was no
luii^'cr just was tlic fact that in Fai,L,'land, by luu' sediictitjns this
WKiiKin cnslavt>d a young man who was in tlie service of Lord
Winter, and who was named Felton. You i^row pale, my lord
r>iickin_i,diam. your eyes ,i,dow with anger and grief. Finish
the story, then, my lord, and tell M. de Wardes who this
wuiiian was who placed the knife in the hand of your father's
imirderer." .\ cry escaped froin the lips of all. The young
(iiikc passed his handkerchief across his forehead, damp witli
pcis|iii-ation.
There was ih^ad silence among those present.
•• \ (lu see, .M. de Wardes,"' said D'Artagnnn. wliiun this story
liad impiressed the more as liis own recollection revived at the
words of Athos. "you see that my crime was not the cause of
the liiss of a soul. Uit that the soul was pretty well lost before
my r<'gi'et. It is therefore an act of conscience. l!ut now that
t!ii> is settled, there renuiins for me, M. de Wardes, humbly to
he- [lardon for this shameful act, as 1 would most surely liave
begged panhui from your father, were he still alive, and hail
I nut him after mv return to France following the death of
Charles I.-'
■• l>ut this is too much, M. d'.Vrtagnan," quickly exclaimed
M\eral voices.
• No. gentlemen," said the captain. "Now, \l. de Wardes, 1
lii'lie that all is finished between us, and that you will not
liapiHMi again to speak ill of nre. The affair is fully settled, is
it lint ■."■
I'e Wardes bowec, muttering to himself.
•• i trust also." continued D'Artagnan, approaching the
young man, " that you will speak no further ill of any one, as
viiii have the luifortuiiate habit of doing; for a man as con-
>' ii !iiii)us and as faultless as you, who reproach an old soldier
w
14
Tin: III n\iri: ni: iiHAaHi.o.wi:.
for a youtliful pnuik, .it'tcr tliirty-fivo years, — you, I s;i.v. wlic
advocate tliis ]iurity of conscience, you on your side will
undiTtake the tacit a,L,Meeniciit to do nothing; aijainst conscience
or honor. Now listen carefidly to what remains for me to
say to you. M. dc Wai'dcs; take care that n(j .story in which
your name lii,'ures reaciies mv ears."
'• .Monsieur," said J)e W'ardes, "it is useless to threaten for
iiothin}.;."
" Uh I 1 have not finished, M. do ^Vardes," resumed I)'.\r-
tagnan ; "yon are condemned to hear me further — "'
The circle drew (doser ; it.s momher.s were tilled with
interest.
" \ ou spoke just now of the honor of a woman, and of the
honor of your father; you pliMsed us by speaking as you did,
f(jr it is good to think that the fe'ding of delicacy and j)robity
wliich apparently did not e.vist in our souls Uves in those of
our children, and it is l)(>auliful. too, to see a 3'oung man, at an
age when from haltit one is a thief so far as tiie honor of
women is concerned. — it is delightful to see this young man
respect and defend i,
Do W'ardes comiu-essed his lips and (dinched his hands,
evidently very anxious to know how this discourse, the com-
mencement id' which had been so disturliing, would end.
" IIow does it happen, then, ■■ continued D'Artagnan, " Lhat
you permitted yourself to say to the Vicomte de Hragelonne
that he was ignorant of who his mother was '/ '■
l\ao\d"s eyes flashed.
" Oh I ■" cried he. springing forward, •• M. le Chevalier, that
is an entirely personal affair with me."
De W'ardes smiled maliciously.
D'Artagnan pushed Kaonl aside with his arm.
"Do not interrupt me, young man!'' said he, flashing an
imperative glance at Dc W'ardes.
" I am now discussing a (piesti(<n whit h cannot be settled by
the sword,'' he continued. " I am discussing it before men of
honor, all of whom have more than once held sw(/rds in their
hands. I have chosen them ])urpo.sely. Now these gentle-
men kn(jw that every secret for whi(di one fights ceases to be
a se:Met. 1 repeat, therefore, my (juestion to.M. i!e W'ardes:
For what reas(.in did you offend this young man. in offending
both his father and his mother?"'
" It seems to me," said De W'ardes, •' that the words are free,
^w%
swoNi^iiini SIS IS Tin: wateii.
\i
wlirii oiiodtT.TS t().su|.|K)rt, tlina hy tncrv inciviisjit thf .li.sposal
I't :i liiavi' mail."
•• Ah : iiioiisiciir, what ai»» tlio iiifans, I. '11 m... l,v tli.; aid of
uliirli a liravc man may sustain a slanilfi-ons WDnl'.' "
•• 'I'lic swdi'd."
•• \nu fail, not only in lo-ic. hy sayini,' that, i.nt still more
in ivh-Kin and honor. Wm cxjiosc the livos of several men,
witliMut iiiontioninL,' your own. wiiich seems to me to he otic of
,iii\enture. |!iit fashioiis pass away, monsieur, ami tiie fash-
ion of duels lias passed, without referrin- to the edicts of lii.s
Majesty, whieh forhid them. Therefore, in ovAvy t,, be c.n-
sisteut with your ideas of chivalry, you will offer vour apolo-
.iries to M. itaoul de Hrai,'elonne ; you will .sav to liini that vou
re-ret luiviny spoken so li^ditly ; that the m'-hilitv and purity
of his race are inscribed not only in his heart, hul in every aet
of his life as well. Vou will do this. M. de Wardes, as I "have
(lone it just now ; I, au old captain, to your child's mustaehe."
•■ .Vnd if 1 will not (h) it •.■■■■ demanded De Wardes
•• Well, the result will be — "
'• That whieh you hope to prevent,*' said De Wardes, laui,'h--
ms,'; •• the result will be that your coneiliatiu-y policy will (mkI
in a violation of the Kini,''s prohiljition."
- No. nionsieiir," said the eaptam, ealnily, " vou are wrouL' "
•• What will happen, then ? "
"This; 1 sliall go to the KiiiL,'. with whom T am on pretty
-ood terms, to whom I have had the happiness of rendering
some services vvhieli date from a time before vou were born,
and who. in fact, at my re(iuest has just sent ine an order iii
blank tor M. Haiseineaux de M(jntlezun, <,'ovrrnor of the P.astille;
and I sliall .say to the Kinj,' : ' .Sire, a'lnan in a cowardly way
ha-^ insulted .M. de JUagelonne by insulting his mother. I
have written the name of this man' on the warrant which your
Majesty kindly gave me,' .so that Af. de Wardes is in the liastille
lor three years."'
And D'Artagnan, drawing from liis pocket the order sii-ned
''v th.> King, held it out to De W.irdes. Then seeing "that
t.i'' young man was not wholly con inced and that lie was
taking the warning for an i<lle threat, he shrugged his shoulders,
and walked indifferently to the i..;ile on wlii.di lay a writing!
ease and a i)en, the length of wliich would have frightened tlie
tojiographical Porthos.
i)e Wardes saw that the threat could not possibly be more
c
<
.f.
16
iiii: \i<'i,\rTi: di: /:/i.ir;/:/.u\\/:.
spnoiis; tho HMstilh. at tli;it time was ;iln-a,iv ,i Miini,' to lv>
toar.'.l Hr t,ink r,,,,. st.'!, t-.uanls l;a,.ul, aii.l in an ali.H.st
uniMtclli-il,l,. V..1.V sanl, •• .Mnnsu-nr, I nttn- von rnv anulc-ifs
whicli wfiv dictated to mo just now l,s .M. '(rAita-nan and
wliicli I am forced to make to von.'" ' ,-.•,.
"One moment, one moment, monsieur," said flie musketeer
witli tlie -ivatest calmness: -von have mistaken liie terms ['
did not say, -and wlucl, I am loiced to mak<-.' I said • wlii.l,
.iiy conscience ni-es me to make/ Tins r„nn ,s Letter tl.an
the other, l.elieve mo: and it will he worth much more, as it
will he a truer expression of vour sentiments."
•• I suhs.M-ihe to it, then,-' ^aid I >e Wardes ; •• h„t in truth
.^'oiitlomen. .■.,nfess that a sword-thrust thnucdi the hodv as
was form.-rly the custom, is much hotter than such tvraiinN""
" No, monsieur,'- replied lluckin-ham. •• tor the sw'. rd-timist
does not si-nily if y„„ receive it that vou are wnuc^ nv redit
It iiieivly shows that you ari> uku'o or less skilful." " '
'• .\ronsienr :"' oxchiimed Do Wardes.
'•Ah! you are ,^n\u'^ to say somotjiin- uiiplo.i.sant," .said
I) Arta-iiaii, interruiitiii-c Do Wanlos. " And I am loudorimr
you a service iiy stoijpiiii,' you riL,'lit Iiero." ""
" Is that all, monsieur ?'" asked Do Wardes
"Absolutely oveiythiiii,'," r..i.liod D'Arta^nan, •' an.l the.se
gentlemen and I are ,satistie<l with vou.''
" lioliovo me, mcmsieur," replied i)e W'arde.s, •< vour recon-
ciliations are not successful."'
" How so '.' ■'
<' Bec:uise we are ,-,)!„- to part, M. do Ura-elonne and I
more at enmity tlian ever, I will waiter.''
" As for me, you are mistaken, monsreur," replied Raoul • " [
have not an atom of liard fe(>lin- a-ainst you in my heart"
This la.st blow overwhelmed De War.les. He i,danced about
him like a man bewihlerod. D'Arta-nan courtoouslv saluted
the gentlemen who had been kind emui-h to be present at the
exjilanation and each one shook hands with liim and withdrew
Not a hand w:is extended to De Wardes.
"Oh! " cried the young man. giving way to the aie'or which
wa.s consuming his heart. '• oh ! I can tind no one on whom to
avenge myself ! "
" ^■es, you can, monsieur, for I am hero," whispered a voice
lull ot menace in his ear.
De Wardes turned ami saw the Duke of Buckingham, who
S]Vn/;i,-T/f/:rsTs / v Tin: wmei;.
17
.10 ,1.. ilji h;.vin- Miur.l brlnnJ w,il. this inirMiiMU IkkI ju.t
ai'I'T'i. idled liiiji. •-' '
•• \'<\\. laonsioiir/"" ciird D,. Wanlcs.
• V.s. I. I ;„„ ,„, .sill,|,.rt „t th., Kin- (.f F,;u,r... Inul.MOur
.'H, nut LC-Mi,,' t,. .vMMtii. n„ il„. t(MTit,ui-y. sin..,. I HIM leaviiP'
'i'^tt. ik'- you. I M.-..,l t,. av.M,.^',. ,avs..ir .„, s.,mm> .mi.- 1
sfr.Mi-ly api.n.ve of tl,.- ,.n.u.ii,l..s .,f M. .I'A.tai^nan, l.ut I an.
"""""""' '-' apply tlM.,a t.. y.H.. [ an. an K.,,'lislnnan an.l I
n. turn .■.uiu- t.. i,n>i,.,s„ t., y.,u what you hav., u, van. p,-o-
p.js.'U to .ithci's. '
•• .Moii.-ii'ur ; ■'
•••■"""•. .l..a.- M. .1,. Wanles, sino.. you aiv so ton-ihlv in-
<;™ . lak.. n... as .i nM.n.,ly. I shall 1... at Calais in thirtv-
— ■ 1-ms (..„,,,. w.rh nuMl... journey wUi s-.u.. ..ho.t,.,- if
^^•' J" t.>,M>tl..... than al....... Wo will .l,aw th.- swor.l thei^o
I'M th..s,u,lscoveml by the ti.h-, au.l wl.,.-h t.u' six hours of
tl;.-l^v are P. -end. te..,,to.-y, but for six other hours God's
•• \'ciy ,-o.„l,-' replied De Wardes, " I arrept "
■• !v Heaven," sai.l the .iuke. '• if you kill n.e. mv dear :\r.
,,',,,,,;!'' ^"'^ '''^'' ^ '"■^'""^'^ ^•'^"' ''^^ ■•endorin.j nie a signal
Warlh's!" '^" '''"'* ^ "'"' ^" ^' =^»"'^«^l^'^' to y..u, .luke,'" sai.l De
•• It is settled, then; I am to carry voti awav •'
'• 1 shall he at your orders. Forsodth ' I \vu\ „eo,i , f
-al 'l:n.,er, son.e^nortal perU to cal.n rne '^ ""'"
• U.-il. 1 tinnk that you have found your n.an. Your ser-
V ■ t " • ,V'^""'^e«: to-i„orr..Ny, until to-morrow ; my valet
Ml tell you the exa<.t hour of leavinfr; we will -o tLt .e.-
hk,. , wo^.,, rrien.ls. I usually travel like a Z^. K;"
.. ';;':<:;'fi!:K- S'"' ''' '''"■'" "^' ^^^"™^" ^•' ^^'^ ^i^^^-^-
l'" W'ar.ies exasperated, left the Palais-Roval and went
.^H'Hlly through the street to the house in whiehhe liyed.
■A
<
'tiii
Vol. II. — 1
18
////; vii-n\iii: I,/: r.i: \',i:i.n\SE
ciiAiTi:!; II
i;ai>i;mi Ai \ hi. Miisi i.Kzirx.
.\fti:k tlio sdiiii'W li.it '^I'vi'ii' li's-!(>n ^ivcii to l>i' W.irdrs
Atliiis aihl |)'.\i-t;iL;ii;iu tu'^'cthcr ili'scciiilcil tin' •- ;iirca>"' whidi
U'll tn tin- ((iiiit (it tlir I'alais-KdViil.
"Von sec,'' >ai'l Atlins to I >' Ai'tai,'iiaii, •• 111 llifciiil llaniil
I'ainiiit I'xapi' ihi^ iliifl uilli I>i' W'anlcs ; I )i' Wanlcs is as
brave as In- i> nickcil."
"1 kimw siirli t't'lldws," it'iilif.l I)'Ai-ta,i,'naii ; '-I liail an
at't'aii- uitli till' lallicr. 1 a>>iirf yuii tliat at tliat tiiiu' I liail
j^doil inusclcs ami 111 illf st ii'Iil;! li : 1 assilic \ oil, I sa\, llial the
father iiAW me trmilih'. ^'et, villi shiiiilil lia\(' seen hciw I
setth'il liim. Ah, my liiemL siieli atl'airs (hiimi ncciir in iheso
thiys. 1 hail a h;iml uliiih diit iint remain (|iiii ' i"raii in-
stant, a haml like i|iiick>ilver, as you know, Athi.-;. for you
have seen me at" work. It was no loiiLjcr a siiiiiile hit ol >te','l :
it was a ,-ei'|ient which assiuiicii every toiiu ami leic^th, in
oi'ilcr to jilaci' it> 1 1 call — that is, its liitc — in a siiiialilc I'osition ;
1 Ljavi' inyselt six tcet.thcn three. 1 iu'omnI iii\ aMta_,'onist,
closely, then 1 s|il'ail',' hack ten teet. Thel-e was no hiiluau
])owei' that eoiilil resist that, ferocious ciiciLcy. Well, 1 )i'
\\'aiilc>, the tathci', with the liravery ol his i-arc, that dotrgod
bravery, took a ;,'ood deal of my time, and I riiiicmiier that at
tlie end of the coniliat my lin,L;ers were tired out."
"'riicretorc. as I told yon,"' resiimeu .'.•hos, •■ Ihc son will
always be looking; for Uaoul and will cud by mcetiicg him, lur
Itaoul is easily found wlieii sought for."
'• .\,y:reed, my friend, but Kaoul calculates well ; he is not
anijry with I)e W'ardes ; lie lias said so ; lie will wait until pro-
voked ; then his jiosition will be j^'ood. '{'he Kin;.,' cannot get
aic^'ry ; besides, we shall know how to ]i;tcity the King. Hut
why these I'ears ot }oursaiid this an.Kicty '.' Vou du not easily
become alarmed.''
" Well, this is what troubles nie. To-moriow Haoiil is to see
tlu> King, who will tell him his de>ircs regarding a certain mar-
riage. Kaoul will grow angry like the lover he is, and once iu
a bad temiier, if lie njeets I )e Wardes, the shell will exjdode."
•• We will ]ire\ent the exiilosioii. dear friend."
'• Not 1, for 1 wish to return to lUois. .Ml this painted ele-
n i/si:.\f/: iix i>/-: Mi,\Ti.i:zr\\
10
prin.-o ..f tlir .-..m-t. III! ihcs.. iiilvi-ii.-^. .lis-nst I :,m ik.
I.Mi-.T iivniiii- lii;iM to limk.'ii '(.iiipact with fli.. lii.Miiii..ssrs „f
'"■''■'^- ' ii'i''- I'Mil in (i.MCs 1 k in.uiv tlnii--, ton hfiuitifiii
.ii,il toocniupivliciisi to n.cui,y iiivs.'U wnl' :iiiv inter. -st willi
til.' tiillin- iihras.'s wlii.'li tlifsr mumi \vliis|M.r aiiinti- tlicius..lv(.s
uli.'n tlipy u isl, to .!..( riv.. another. In a uui,r, | am Ixiir,!
Ill I'.irif. \vhriv\,.r 1 ,|., ,„,t have you; an.l as I eannot alwavs
li;iv»\ y(iii. I wish torelm I to Hhiis."
•• ' 'h ! how wi-otiir you are. Athos ! ll.,w von l,eli<. y ,ur ori-
Kiii an.l the destiny of your soul ! Men oV your stanii. arn
made to -o until llie veiw hist day in tlie lull p.Issessiou of their
faculties. See my „1,1 swonl .d' f.a Ko.d.eUe, that Spanish l.la.Io
wliirh served iiie w.dl for thirty years ; one winter's dav, in
i.dlin- nil the luarhle floor of the I'.ouvre, it broke in two. ' My
dear te!l,,w. I liad a huntiiiu'-knife maiie of it, ..hieh will last
a iiundied years hui-er. V<,u. Alhos. with your lovaltv. vour
tninkness, your eool eoura-e. and your soiiiid edu.Mtion". are
til'' iiiaii necessary to warn and direct kiiii,'s. Stavhere. M
I'-ii'iuet will not last as Ion- as mv Si.ain.sh blade.'"
••'-nie,' said Athos, siuilii.-. •'•here is I)-ArtaLrnan. who,
atf.r haviu- raised luo to the .douds and made of me a sort of
i:-l. hulls me fnun tlio top of Olympus and flattens me out on
'lice.irth. I have lii^dier ambitions, mv friend. To be a min-
M.i, lu l,e a slave, — never ! Am I not -reater'.' I am nothin-.
■ '•incnd)er oeeasionally hearin.i,' you call me ' th.- throat Athos '
I would d.dy you, if I were minister, to c,,iifirm this epithet.
N". no. I (li, not thus surrender."'
■■ In tl.it c;rse we will .speak tk; i->ore of it; give up ■very-
tliiii-. even the brotherly feeling between us!"
•• ; 'h, my dear friend, what you .say is rather severe I ''
1* Vrtagnan shook Athos' hand heartily.
•■ No, no, renounce without fear. \{Mm\ can get on without
.V'li : I am in I'aris."'
■■ Well, tluui, I shall return to IJlois. This evening vou will
;■ 1.^ .idieu to me. To-morrow at break of dav I shall mount mv
li'.r^e. ' ■'
'• ^'Mi cannot return alone to your hotel; why did yon not
'"■111-; (rriiiiaud with you '.'■' "
'■ My friend, (Jriinaud is sleej.ing; he goes to bed early. My
l""'i "Id servant grows tired easily. He came from 151.us witli
M". and I comiielled him to stay in his room ; but if he had to
ieuace tlie forty leagues which separate us from Blois, without
il
m
t
\i
J
^tSi^^H
■v
9H
s- -
^^^1
*t -
^^^^H
r
9l
h^
o^^^^^^^l
20
r///: viroMri: ur. r.i? iar.i.nwi:.
dr.iwinij brpatli. lio wduM dit^ witlioiit a foinpliMut. Sn I liold
to my ( iriiniiiiil.'"
I will i,'ivp you a iiinsketopr to carry your torch. Hrllo,
D'.Vrtaurnaii leaned over the irilded rnil-
tl
H're I Some ono
iiifj. Tlif! heads of seven or ei.i,'ht nni>keroers appeared.
'■ SiiMip one kindly disposed to escort the Conitt; do la Fere
cried l>".\rta'j'nan.
Thanks t'oi' your proiajitness, s^'itlenien,
sai(
1 Ath
COUl(
1 not
inconvenience Lrentlenien in
thii-
s wa^'
I
would williii''lv escort monsieur," said one, ''if \ did not
have to speak to M. d'Artau'i
lan.
niLT m
' Who is that ".' "' asked I)'.\.rta,::;nan, ]ieer
' I, <lear M. d'Artaunian."
• (iod I'oru'ive nie, it' it is not M. itaisenniaux.
■ Th
■ Well,
to the shad(
;amt>, monsieur.
niv dear
H
;iisemeaux, what are vou doiiiL
tl
lere in
the court-vard
'• Awaitiicj; your orders, my dear M. d'.Vrtat,'nan."'
" Ah! wretch that I am," thouuht D'Arta^rnan ; '• it is ti
ue
vou h
ave been informed that there was to be an arrest, and
have come yourself instead of sendinc; nn otticer I '
" I came because I had to speak with you."
" And you did not notify me '.' "'
"I was waitim:," said M. ISaisemeaux, timidlv.
I sliall leave v
ou.
Adieu, D'ArtaLTi!
an.
;aid Athos to his
friend.
" Not until I present to you M. ISaisemeaux da .Montlezun,
the governor of the liastille."
Baisenieaux bowed ; Athos did likewise.
■' lint you must know each other,"' added D'Artaf::nan.
" I have a vague recollection of monsieur," sitid Athos.
" My dear friend, vou w«^l' know
II
aisemeaux, the
1>
guardsman, with whom we used formerly t(j have such go
times in the cardinp.l's day."
" Perfectly." said Athos, taking his leave with affabilitv.
" M. le Comte de la Fere, whose
iinin Iff qid'rrr w
;is Athos,
said D'Artagnan in a whisper to Haisemeaux.
; es. ves. a brave man
one of the celebrated four," said
Baiseineaux.
talk
Precisely. Hut c(.inie, my dear Baisemeaux, shall we
If you please." i
'm
BirsLWiKArx DJ-: moxtlezl'x.
21
"Til tlic first )tlaco as to flio orders, that is done away with;
thiMi> are none. Tlie Kini,' lias given u]) tlie idea of arresting
'he jierson in question."
'■ .\h, so much the W(jrse ! *' si,<,died TJaisenieanx.
'■ Wliy ' so much the worse".'" said D'Artaj^'uan, hiu-liin^,.
•• Wliy, iiuleed ! " e.xchiiiued the L^'overnor of the HastilC>, •> my
prisoners are my ineome I "'
•• All 1 tliat is true. I did not see the thin;,' in that light."'
•• So there are no orders '.' ""
ilaiseiiieaux sighed again.
•• Vdu are the one," said he, " who has a good jiosition :
raptaiii-lieutenant of the musketeers."
'• it is good enough, yes. Knt I do not see what reason
there is for you to envy me. you, governor of the Bastille, the
first castle of France."'
'• I know that very well,"" said I5aisemeaux, s.adly.
•• Vou say that like a jienitent ! I will exehangi' my jirofit?
lor yours, if ycni wish ! "
'•I>(> not speak of profits,'" said Jlaisemeaux. "unless you
wish to break my heart."'
•• I'.ut you look right and left as if you feared being arrested.
\nn who Wik after those who a.e arrested."'
•■ 1 notice that we are seen and iieard and that it would be
sal-cr to talk in private, if you will grant me this favor."
•• liaisemeaux ! liai.semeaux ! You evidently forget that we
have Ijeen acipiainted for thirty-five years. "Do not assume
such airs of sanctity. Be cpiite easy. I do not eat governors
of the Bastille raw."
"Thank Heaven! "
"('ome into the court-yard; we will promenachi arm in arm.
The moonligiit is superb, and under the oak-trees you shall
tell me your sad tale. Come."'
Me drew the doleful governor into tlie court, took him by
"■'■ arm, as he had said, and in his rougli, kindly way went on :
■••'onie, out with it; rattle away, Baisemeaux ; what have
you to tell me ? "'
" It is a long tale."
'• Would you prefer to lament ? My opinion is that that
wdl be still longer. Here 's a wager that vou are making fifty
fliousand livres out of your pigeons in the'l?astille."
'• ^"' oiild that I were, dear M. d'Artagnan ! "
" \ uu surprise me, L'aisemeaux ; look at yourself, now, my
il
I
m
i -'^^^l
^^^f'?
■
'■^jj/ti
^H
0>
THE VICOMll-: DE lillAi.ELOXNE.
dear follow; n,ordh,u.v : you aio ai'tually playinj,' tho penitent!
I must take you to a niirmr : you \voul<l see in it tluit you are
plumi). ilori.i iat. and round as a cheese; that your eyes are
like lijihted coals, and that were it not for that u-W wrinkle
vou affect oil vour forehead you would not lo(»k tifty. ]*>ut you
are sixtv, liey .
•• AU'that'is true."
•• Zounds, 1 know very well that it is true, as true as the htty
thousand iivres' profit."
Little liaisenieaux stainjied his foot.
'• There I there ! " said I)"Artai,nian. '• I will make (uityour ac-
count for y(m : vou were captain of the guardsmen of M. de Ma/.a-
riu— twt'lve thousand Iivres a year; you have had them for
twelve years— say, a total of one liundred forty thousand Iivres. "
"Twelve thousand Iivres! Are you mad?" cried Baise-
meaux ; -the old miser never gave me but six tliousand, and the
expenses of the position amounted to six thousand live hundred.
M. ("oll)ert. who made me deduct the other si.x thou.sand Iivres,
condesceiuled to have me take fifty pis'oles as a fee, so that,
without that little estate at Moiitlezun, which brings m twelve
thousand Iivres. I-eould not have i.n ^ my obligations."
'• Let us admit our mistake and pass on to the tifty thousand
Iivres from the liastille. Tliere, I trust, you are fed and lodged.
Vou have six thousand Iivres' salary."
"Well ?■'
"Cood year or bad. fifty prisoners who, on an average,
brin,_ you in a thousand Iivres each."
" 1 don't denv it."
"That is fifty thousand Iivres a year; you have lieldUie
position three years ; therefore you have one hundreil and fifty
thousand Iivres."
" Vou forget one detail, dear ^^. d'Artagnan."'
'< What is that?"
" That you received the appointment of captain from the
hands of the King.''
" I know that."
'' While I received that of governor from MM. Tremblay and
Louviere."
" T^hat is so, and Tremblay was not a man to give you Ins
appointment for nothing."
" Oh, nor Louviere either ! The result is that I gave seventy-
five thousand iivres to Tremblay for his share."
BA I semi:. 1 / X DE MOS TLEZ UN.
28
" Fine ! And to Limviere ? "
" Tlie same amount."
••' At once? "
'•No, that was impossible. The Kin<:: <li(l not wisli.or ratlier
.M. (le ."Slazarin did not wisli, to seem to remove those two
fellows who sprang from the barricades : he therefore permitted
them to retire under certain conditions."
" What conditions ?"
'•Treudile ! Three years' income, for the deal.'"
'•The devil! so that the one lunidred and lifty thousand
livres iiave passed into their hands I "'
•■ Exactly."
" And beyond that ':' "'
" A sum of fifteen thousand crowns or fifty thousand pistoles,
as you please, in three payments.''
•' Kxiirl)itant I "'
" That is not all."
" Come, now ! "'
'• In default of my fulfilling one of the conditions, these
gentlemen return to their jiositions. The King has been per-
suaded to sign that."
" Monstrous ! Incredible ! "
" It is nevertheless true."
" I jiity you, my ]i()or Haisemeaux. 15nt, my dear friend, whv
the devil did M. Mazarin grant you this pretended favor'.' ft
would have been simpler to refu.se it to you? "'
" oil ! yes! but he was forced by my protector."
" Your protector ? Who is that ? "
" Odds ! one of your friends, M. d'Herblav."
" .M. d'Herblay ! Aramis ! "
'■ Exactly ; he has been most kind to me."
'• Kind ! To make you enter tliat snare ? "
'• Listen ! I wished to leave tlie cardinal's service. M. d'ller-
hlay s))oke to Louviere and to Trembhiyfor me; they objected.
1 wanted the ai>pointnient, for I know wliat it can give; in my
distress I opened my heart to M. d'Herblay; he offered to
.Miswer for me for every payment."
"Hah! Aramis? Oh"f you astound me. Aramis an-
sweied for you ? "
" Like an honorable man. He obtaineil the signature ;
Tremblay and Louviere resigned. I luive paid twenty-five
tli-usand livres every year to each of those two gentlemen.
%
m\
! fl
m
'2i
TiTF. virrum: ni: unAai:; '\xi:.
E\'iTV '. <Mr, t(in, in M;iy. ^[. (rilfr'Diay hiiMsclf (•(Jines '• tlif^
l-^astilli' tn Wriiii; iiic twn tlmii.sanil five liiiiidrcil pistnli-^ t ilis-
tribut(> aiiiiiiit,' mv cMx-ddilcs."'
" Tlivn you owe one liuiuli id (it'tx tlioit-aiKi livifs to
Aram is .' "'
'■ Ah I tliat is tlit> caast' of my lirspair; ! nwc hiui only a
hundred tliousaud."'
•• I do not exactly understand you."
" Well, lit- canu^ for two years. H\it it i~ n^ \v the thirty-tirst
of May, and he lias not conie, and to-niorrow noun tlie iiavnirnl
is due. And to-morrow if I do not ])ay, tho^e ;^'eut]emen. hy
the terms of the contraet, can break the cnnfiitt. 1 shall be
robbed, and shall have wi./ked three years and ;^Mven two Imu-
dreil fifty thousand livres for notliin;^, my dear .M. d'Arta^'nan
absolutely for nothing."
"This is straui^e.'" niurnuired D'Arta.i^i'-in.
'• You iMW see that I nuiy well have wrinkles ou my fore-
head."'
"Oh, yes."
" Y'ou may inuigine that althouL;h I am as rounil as a rheese
and as fresh as an apjile. although my eyes are as bright as
lighted coals, I liave readied the point of fcunng h-st 1 have
not even a cheese nor an apple to eai. and that L shall have
nothing hut eyes with whieh to weep."
'• This IS distressing."
•' So I have come to you, M. d'Artagnan, for you alone can
pull nie out of my trouble.*'
" How so ? "
" You know the Abbe d'llerblay ? "
"I should think so.''
" You know him to be peculiar.''
" Oh, yes.''
" You can give me the address of his presliytery, for I have
been to Noisy-le-Sec, and he is no longer there."'
" He is Bishop of Vannes."'
" Vanues, in Brittany ? "
" Yes."
Tlie little man began to tear his hair.
" Alas ! " said he, " how can I go to Vannes between now
and to-morrow noon ? I am a lost man. Vannes ! Vainies ! "
cried Baiseraeaux.
" Your despair grieves me. Listen ; a bishop is not al-
BAlSllMEAtX Di: MOSTLEZVN.
25
wavs a ivsi.lf^nt ; M()iisfi,t,'iiciir (rilerliliiy may not bo as far
,i\vay as \u\\ I'car.''
■• ' Ml I li'li me liis aiiilivss."
'• I (1(1 not know it. my friend. "
'•Then indeed am \ lost.' 1 will j,'o and throw my.self at
tlif l\in<.;"s feet."
•• Why. I'.aisemeanx, you surprise me : if the I'.astille is able
tu pi-oiliice iifty thousand livres, why have vou not serewed a
iuiiidied thousaiul out of it '.' "■
'■ lieeause I am an honest man, dear ."\[. U"Artaf,'nan, and
hccauso my prisduers are fed like potentates."
•• I'll rilira : yo\i are far advanced ; give yourself a good attack
(it uidi-estion with your Kne living, ami put youiself out of
the way li(>tween now and to-nuirrow noon." .
'•'ruel man ! to have the heart to laugh !"
'•Nc, .\ou distress me. Come, Baisemeaux, have you any
sense lU hnnor '.' "
•■ I Hi : (aptuin : "
'• Weil, give me your word that you will not open your lii^s
la any one about what I am going to tell vou."
" Xever, never ! "'
'• You wish to put your hand on Aramis ? "
" .\t any priee ! "
" \\ .!. go and find M. Foiiquet."
" \\liat connei/tion — "
" Stupid that you are ! Where is Vanncs ? "
" By our Lady ! "'
" Vannes is in the dioeese of Belle-Isle, or Belle-Isle is in the
dioee.se of Vannes. Belle-Isle belongs to ^I. Foutiuet; M.
loiKpiet nominated M. d'Herblay to that bishopric."
•• Vou open my eyes, and give' me back life."
'• So jiuieh the better. Go, therefore, and simply sav to M
f'-iKiuet that you wish to sj.eak to .M. d'llerblay."
••'Vrtainly! certainly ! " eried Baisemeaux, delighted.
"But," said D'Aitagnan, stopping him by a severe look,
"your word of honor! "
•' Oh : my saered word of honor ! " replied the little man.
starting off.
'■ Where are you going ? "
" To M. Fonquet."
"No, M, Fouquet is playing cards with the King. All you
can do will be to go to M. Fouquefs house early to-morrow."
r\^
2r>
rfn: vi(U)MTi-: />/•; liUAaiii.osM:.
" I shall -o; lli;ink>."
" (rood luck to \ull I "
" Thanks ! •■
"This is a otraiii,'!' talo,"
ItMviii:,' riaisi'iacaux sldwlv
ilcvilish intiM'(^st can Araniis
murniniod ])'Arta<,'nan, who on
iscfiidcd his staircase. '• What
have in olilij^'int; liaiscnicanx in
that way '.' Well '. W'u shall know sunie day or other.
cnA?Tp:ii III.
IHi: KIN(iS CAI{I> I'AIiTV.
For
card-l)aity,
;r. ,■!>
|)"A
rta-'nan liad
d, was present at the Kin_i,''s
It
seenieil as i
(II! the woiUK
h'd
f the depaitiiie of l>uckin,i,'hani had
bal
m
lieai'ts
.f th
jirevnms evenin^i^.
M
onsienr,
nuii;uit, was makini,' a thousand ati'cctionate
mother.
Sl'MlS
to 1
ll.S
The Comte de (iuiche could not part fiMni i!uckin;,dian
ul wliile pJayinL,', talked with him as to the detai
journ<
)t' his
s made
I>nckin,<,diam, thou-ii! lid and urentle. like a man who ha
ip Ins nund, listened \., the '-unwl and lYoni time to tniie cast
tn Madame a look nt regret ami hopeless tenderness.
Tl
le princess
in th
awst ol' moods, divided her atten-
tion amoiii^ the Kint,', wl
who was
(iuicli''.
inudian.
lo was
playiui,' with her, Monsiei
rallyini,' her (pnetly on her larj^e winning's, and ])e
^idio was evinciuLj e.xtrava.i,Mnt deli.i,dit. As for Uuck-
she occupitM
tl
1 herself hut little witl
him
for 1
this lui^itive, this exile, was a memorv,
I.
ler,
UKt no lonrrer a man.
d
ht hearts are made thus; whole for a, time, they break snd-
ith ;dl that can uiiset their little calculations of selfish
denly w
com tort.
Mailame accepted the smiles, the attentions, and the
sighs of I'.uckimj;liam when lie was present; but wliat was tlie
use of siLcluiiu'. smiling, and falling on one's knees at a dis-
tance '.' Whither does the wind of the channel wliicli tosses
mighty ships carry sighs? Does any one know? The duke
could not hide this change from himself; Ids heart was
b!
lortally hurt bv it. Sensitive 1
e by iiature, proud and susccpti-
e of deep attachment, he cursed the day when love had
THE KI.\(; 's < A lih-PA R T Y.
27
f'nr.Mcil liis liL'uit. Tlie K^aiices Im cast on ^fadame c^rew
inld.T l)y (lpi,MPes at the icy breath of liis tlioui^'hts. He
couia iKityt't (•(iiuleinu, hut lie was strong enoiiKh to impose
sileii.e (.11 tiie tui.iultuoiis cries of his heart. So soon as
.Minhiiii.' suspected this chaii-e, slie reilouhied her activity to
le-iiin tlie love which was escapiu.L; her; her iniud, timid and
indecisive at first approach, showed itself in brilliant tfashes;
at any c(-stshe must be noticed above every one, above the Kinf'
himself. And slie was. The <iueens, in spite of their dignity,
the King in spite of the respert demai"led by eti(iuette,''were
cclijised.
The (pieens, at the outset stiff and formal, became more
huinaii and laughed. .Madame Henrietta, the queen mother,
was(laz/.led l.y this iirilliancy wlncli cast distinction upon her
family, thanks to the wit of the graiuldaughter of Henri IV.
'I'lie iviiig, jealous as a young man and as a monarch of the
superiority of all who surrounded him, could not jirevent
himself from surrendering to this petulance, .so distinctively
French, yet .so vitalized by English humor. Like a child he
was lasriiKited by that radiant beauty whicdi was augmented
liy hei- wit. .Madai!ie"s eyes shot fire. (lay words escaped
ti-om her ruddy lips like persuasion from the lips of the old
(;reek Nestor. Around tlie (pieens and the King the whole
I'Hut. subdued by her enchantment, perceived for the first
tune that it could laugh before the greatest monarch alive,
like people worthy of being called the most jiolished and the
wittiest 111 the world. From that evening Madame had a suc-
•■ess capable of astounding any one not born in those lofty regions
<alli'(l thrones, ami who, in spite of their height, are .sheltered
•'■'iiii such giddiness. From that moment L<misXIV. regarded
Madame as an important personage. JJnckingham looked on
h'T as a co(piette worthy of the most cruel tortures. ])e Guiche
n-ardod her as a di'- lity. The courtiers thought her a star
whose h^dit might iKcomethe focus for all favor, all jiower.
And yet some years before, Louis XIV. had not even deigned
to give his liand to this " ugly girl "' for a ballet.
^b'aiiwhile Buckingliam liad adored this coquette on both
knees : |)e (Juiche had thought of this divinity as a woman ; and
tile courtiers (ju the passage of this star had not dared to ap-
I'laud tor lear of displeasing the King, to whom the star had
loniifM'ly been displeasing.
'lliis was what was taking place that memorable evening
\
28
77//; viciiM'i'i: I'l'- i:i: \(ii:/.<>\\i:.
diiriiii,' tlu' Kiiit;'s cunl-iiavt y. Th.' youn.u' Qnoou. ulthon^'li
Spanish and tlic iiiccc nl' Aiiiif dl' Austiiii. lnvi-d tlu' Kin-: ami
(•(iiild lint liidc it, knew not liow to dissiniulati'.
Anne of Anstiia, like every \voiiian a. keen oliserver. and
imperious like everv uueeii.li'it tlie i.ower of Maiiauie and
at oiire vu'lded t.) it. This (h'termined the yo n- gueen t„
raise tlie" sie:4e and letiiv to h. f own aiiarlnient- . The Kin.i,'
seareelv paid anv atlenlioii tu lier deparlnre, in sjiite of the
pretendrd svniptoins of indisposition wliieli aecoiiipanied it.
Seruie within tli.' ndrs of ctniiiette wliieli he was he-iiiiiin^' to
introduce at court as an eh'UUMit in every relation. I.oiiis XI\.
was nnnioved. He offered liis hand to Madame without look-
in':; at Monsieur his luotlicr, and led the yniini,' princess to
tlie door of her ai'artiiicnts. It was noticed tliat on the
threshold his Majesty, frre from all restraint or Jess strong
than the situationi i^ave V(uit to an enormous siL,di. The women,
who notice everytliin-, -- Mademoiselle de Montalais, for in-
staiu'c. did not tail to .-ay tu their eumpanioiis : ••The King
sighed ; Madame sighed."
T'his was true.
Madame had sighed, (piietly to be snre. but with an accoin-
l)aninient far more dangerous for the King's peace of mind.
Madame had sighed and had closed her beaut ifiil black eyes,
then she had opened them and, tilled as they were with inde-
scribable sadness, she had raised them to the King, whose face
at that moment had visibly grown red.
The c(.nseqiience of this blush, of these sighs exchanged,
and of all this royal emotion, was that Montalais had com-
mitted an indiscretion, and that this indiscretion Inul certainly
affected her compar.ion. for Mademoiselle de la Valliere, less
(dear-.-ighted no doubt, turned ]iale when the King blushed, and,
her duty thus calling her to Madame, had entered trembling
from head to foot liehind the princess witlioiit thinking of tak-
ing the gloves, whi(di cdurt etiipielte reipiired of her. It is
true that this girl fr(nii the ]iroviiice could allege as excuse the
agitation into which his royal .Majesty had thrown her. Tn
xaet. whollv occupied in closing the door, Mademoiselle de la
Valliere hail involuntarily fixed her eyes on the King, who was
walking backwards.
I.ouis XIV. retnrned to his card-playing ; he made an attempt
to speak to several people, but one could see that he was ju-e-
occupied. He mixed various scores, which fact was taken
rn /; Kisa's (Wrd-i'ARty.
29
i.'n.iiitau'i' lit liv scvcriil Imil-i wlio liiul rctiiiiiod theso habits
.,iM'.' ihi' HUM' 111' M. lie M;i/.uin — \v!i()li;ul a jiodr iiuMiicrv but
.1 .uiiil iniinl liir arithiiiclic 'riiiis .Maiiicainji, witli a tln>m,'ht-
!.■>> MY wliifli iliii's Udt ilcccivc till' reader, — .Maiiieaiiip, the iiiost
lieiii'st i'elliiw ill the wurlil. iiuietly .iL^at liered up twenty thousand
livres 'A-Jiieh lay <>u the table, and the oWMershiii of which did
lint HciMu to beloii;^^ lei^itiuiately to any one.
Likewise, M. de Wardes, whose liead was boiiinwhat. upset by
the events ol' the evening,', left sixty (h)ubli' louis he liad won
tii'in the Duke of l'.atkiii,:,diani. and which tlie latter, iucai)able,
like his fallier, of ^oiliii;^' his liaiids with any money, had aban-
doned to the chandelier as if that object were alive.
'I'lie Kin'4 did not recover his usual ease <d' manner until
M. Colbert, who liad been watchin;,' for some time, approached
and verv respectfully, no doubt, but with insistence, whispered
a wold id' advices into the still tiic^dinj,' ear of the monarch.
Ai till' su,L,'!,'estiou Ijouis ,i;ave further attention, and at once
iuokiiiL^ around, said :
'■ Is .M. fouipict no louLjer here?"'
" Yes. yes, Sire."' reiilicd the voice of the superintendent,
who had been talkiii,' with I>u(d<iii'^diain.
lie approached. The KiMi; with a charmin<,dy careless air
advaiii'i'd a ste[) towards him :
•• r.Lidot' me, monsieur, if I interrupt ynr conversatiim,"
said Louis, •• but 1 (daim you whi'uever I need you."
■• My services are always for the Kiii!^,"' replied Fompiet.
•• .''.lul especially your cashd)o.K,"" said the King, laughing with
a ciniiiin;4 iieiucanor.
'• My caslidjox even more than all else,"' said Fouquet. coldly.
•• iii'iT are the facts, monsieur. 1 wish to give a fete at Fon-
iiiiiclileau : keep open house for fifteen days. I have need of — *'
!b' glanced .-.idcwise at Colbert. Fouipiet waited without
• ■ 'I'lg.
•■(»t ■.' ■" said he.
•• ( )f four millions.'" said the King, replying to Colbert's cruel
smile.
•■ Four millions '.' " said P'omjuet, bowing low.
Ami his nails, buried in his bosom, dug in it a bloody fur-
lo'.v ; yet tlie serenity of his expression was not for one moment
altered.
" Ves. monsieur,"" said the King.
" When. Sire '.' "'
^•i
^1
:-ia:
30
77//; \ici).\iTi-. Dh: lilt \<,i:i.<..<XF..
0\\. t
net' \()iii- tunc,
'I'liat
" TiiiK^ is iicci'
ssiirv.
as suoii as possible,
Tiiiic ! " nit'd C-'lhert, triiiiii]>liaMtly.
Time to (■(niut tiie crowns," said the sti|>eiiiiteiiclciit, with
haughty scorn, >' one can draw and wci^d
I <iiilv a million
ad
luoiisiciir.
ij)
• 1-
•Ol
our (la\s
th
said ( 'oihcit.
I :
cjiiied FoiKjuct. adilrcssin^' the Ki
pertonn wonders for \our Majcstv's service,
he ready in three days."
IILT
iiiv <
lerk;-
Tl
10 sum siia
11
It was Colhert's turn to j,'row lale. Louis h.oked at 1
iiiii in
ness, smiliii'
suriirisi'.
FoiKiuet witlidiew without ostentation or weak
at his numerous friends, in whose eyes alone |
triendshii), an interest, ainouutiiii,' to pitv.
r>ut Fou(iuet was not to he jud,L,'ed iiy the smile; in reality,
death hiy ill his heart. Hroiis of hiood stained the ti
le reai
I t
rue
lie
us Coat.
whi(di covered his hn'ast under 1
The coat hid the hlood ; the smile his ra,t.je. From tlie way
in wliieli he ajiproached his carria},'e, his servants gues.sed that
tlieir master was not in good temjier. The result (d' this
knowledge was that tlie orders were executed with that pre-
cision which is found
on a man-of-war commanded duri
storm hy an irritated caiitain. The carr
lage dill not n
ng a
)11
It
flew. Foiupiet scarcely had time to collect himself iluring the
drive. On arriving, he went to the apartments id' Aramis.
The latter had not yet retired.
As for I'orthos, he had suppeil very comfortahly oil' a leg of
mutton, two roast pheasants, and a mountain of crav-tish ■
then he had had his hody
an
manner o
w
f th
ancient wr(\stlers ; t
ointed with jierfumed oils, in the
as wra])ped in flaniitds and carried to a
lis peihu-mance over, he
warir
d.
.Vramis, as we have said, ha<l
in a velvet dress
not yet retired. Comfortahlc
siiig-gown, he was writing letter after letter
in that tine and hurried handwriting, one page (d' whi(di con-
tained a (piarter of a volume.
Die door was hurriedly opened ; the suiierintendent ajipeared,
pale, agitated, anxious. Aramis raised his he.ul.
" (Jood evening, my dear host,'' said he. And 1
glant'e detected all the sadness, all the agitation (d' the other/
ang y '■ asked Aramis, in order to
lis ohservmg
<io<id
anie with tlie
open the conversation.
■/'///.' KLMj'h VMUt-IWUTY. 31
ia.lu'>yU.n l.,ul folluwed lurn. W 1.0,. tl„. servant J.a.l gnno
" \ ''ly j,'()0(|."
Ai.un'is who J.a.l f,.lI„wo.l !,,.„ witl. his oyes s uv l.im
stretd. ImnsHC on tl.o .....hions ,„ fVv.rish in, patio;."
•■ Y'" I'f . 'IS nsual '.' •• asko,l A, -anus, ,.,■„ in h'ui.l.
".More than usual," ivplicd Fnuiiut-t.
•• I'.ut It IS known that you can hoar losses hravelv "
•■ ^oiui'tinios.'"
•• <;'"m1 .'won. yo,i playing holdiv, M. Fonquot " "
- I hcv IS piayinj,' an<l J.layin-, M. (rHerhlav.''
•■ llnu- n,u..h havo you lost, n.y loni :' " asked Anunis with
soiiio anxioty. "ou
l'"n<,uot.;.ll,.,.tvdhimsolfan,omentto pitoh his voioe ,n -x
'■•-.'•"t.nnaltono; then without a tra,.o of'on.otion said
'■ I IH' ovouiul: li.-is oost mo four millions "'
A iMtfor laugh drown.-d the last wonls. Aramis ha.l not
"xi"'' f..i such a sum, and dro- ped his pen
^_ •• l-nr^nnlhons :•• said ho ; '.. you played for four n.illions ?
-tl ' i:':;:;r lIS. Z^'-' '-'''-' ''^ superintendent,
^^^•- Ah, _ I understand now, my lord. So, a new call for
•■ Vf>. my friend."
" From the King*^ ''
..n '::;:;;ii;::,;;i^r^,„?^r"'" ^ ""r°-'i»e t„ r.™ » .an
•• Tlu' devil ! ••
" ^\ hilt do vou think of it*"'
is eviile!;; •""' ' ' '^"'"^ ^^^^^ '^^y "'"^^ '- »■-« you. That
■• >" tliat is still vf)iir opinion " "
'• Y':^- Ij'it I did not expect four million.s."
"-ill 'i-'a^'m.t' tile de^tl^'T"' " '"■"'' •^"*' '''''' ^"' f'^-"
w M. Fnn'piK •' "" '"''"' ''^^'''•■^"y ^^'hfin that man
c
Sili-'.
■tp
m
WT'
Tin: viroMTi: />/•; hh\<,i:i.i>sse.
" Ami ytiu prmiust'd '.' "
" Wli.it wuiild yi'ii cxiicct me to do?"
'• Tliat i-^ triK'."
•• Tlir (l;iv I l.'tu>t>. CnllMTt Will liVo.MlIc I In' allK.UlU: 1 kiloW
iiotliiii.; ulMMit liow nr wlu-rr. hut hr will liinl it. and 1 ^liall 1"'
lost." " ,
•• Doiilitlfss. aii.l ill how iiKiiiy diiys dhl yoii i.ronus.' tli.'-f
four iiiillioii> '.' ' ^j
•■ in thrt'c diivs. 'I'hf \\\\\'A sfciufd in ;^'nMt lia.-.t('.
•• III liiM-i' il;, ,s ! ■ 1 1 ■
•' Oh. niv frifud." wrnl on i''oiM|iirt, ■• whm we think that, ju.^t
now a>' I'la^srd thvon-h th.' sin'ft some iH-opl.- cru-d out:
•Thfiv i:, tlu' 11. di M. Fou.iu.'t:'— in truth. d.Mr I >'iI.Thl;iy, it
is fiioiivdi to turn ont'"r, hcail I "'
•• ( Ml, no : my lord, stoji ri-ht hfiv ! TIh' matt.T is not worth
tlic tioi'iblc." siiid Araniis ca'iiily, sprinkling' soiiif sand over
the letter he had just tinisiifd writiii-.
.. S.uiio icniedy. then; some remedy for tins iiieural.Ie
malady '.' "'
•• There is onlv one I'^iy-"
•• 1,,., I am not sure that I e.an pet the sum. .Ml must lie
used up. Thev have paid tor I'.elle-Ish' ; they have pai<l f..r
the pensi..ii I n'loney, sinre the investi^'ation of the aecounts, is
rare. .VdmittiiiLC that the jiayment is made this time, !mw can
it be done a;.,':iin '.' For.bidieve me, we have not come tothe end.
When kiui,'^ have once toiudied money they are like ti;_;ers wlii(di
have taste"?! tlesh : thev devour. Some day 1 shall have to say :
' Impossible, Sire '. ' Well, that day I shall be lost ! "'
.\ramis shru,i,'j;pd his shoulders sli-htly.
" .\ mail in your ]iosit.on, my hu-d,"' said lie, •• is lost only
when he wishes to be."
" In whatever position he may be. a ma.n cannot. struf,M,'le
aj^ainst a kin;.;." r i
" r.ah : ill my youth I stru',',i,'led sueeessfully with (jirdinal
Ri(dielieu, who" was Kini; of France — i.iore, cardinal \"
'• Have I armies, troops, treasures '.' I no loii<;er have even
•• I'.ah : ' Necessity is the mother oi; invention. W hen you
think all is lost — "'
'•Wei!'.'" , .,,
" Something unexpected turns up which will save every-
thing — "
Tlir. h'fXr; S ('AHn-l'ARTY.
:?;]
" Aii'l whn will (iisciivn- tin-' 'iiai-N cllniis soinctliiiit; '.' "
• • 1 .• I liiiinl III my n'si;,'ii;itiiin as iiivontur."
■• I. Micii."
•■ !',(. i! sii. i'.iit ill thill cast' set ydiirsclt' !.■ tlif task with
, it (1. lay."
•■ ( >h I Uf ha\i' tiiiic I'lKUi^'h.''
• \'iiii will kill nif with ymir calnnH'ss, D'Hcriilay.'" said the
>iilH'i'iiitflnU'iit. |iassiii.,' ills haiiilkt'irhii't across his hinw.
•• |)n \(1!1 Iiol rcllllMlliilT what I Idlil Vdll iilU'C'.'"
" What dill you td! im- " "
••Nil! \n wiiiTv, if you havi- .■nura ■,'•'. Havr ydii any?"
" I think so."
■• III that case do not he uneasy."
" It i.s di'.idi'd, thru, that at tin' last nii'iiiciit yoii will ronieto
•iiy aid '.' "
•• Tliat will only he jiauii'^' you hark what I owe you, my
•• It is till' tiaih' ot tinaiH-icrs to antifipatf the iifcds of men
like you, I'lliu hlay."
■• if liriir^' oidi,L;iiig is the traih' of tiiKincicrs. (diarity is tho
v'rtuf of till' (dfr;,'y. Only this tiiiu' too. my lord, act. Vuu
,,ic not vi't coii(|iii'rt'd ; at the last iiionicnt wc shall sen."'
•• We shall sec in a short time, then."
'• Very widl. Now iicnuit me to tell ymi that, personally, I
■jri-ath' regret that voii are so short of money."
••WhyMiV"
•■ i'.ecause i was about to ask you tor some."
•■ I'or yourself '.' "
'• I'oi- mvs(df or mine, for mine or ours."
'• ! j.iw murh '.' "
■•Dh ! a round sum. it is true, but not very exorbitant."
'■ State the amount."
•• fifty thousand livres."'
■• \ mere nothing ! ''
•• h'eally ■: "
•• 1 iiie can always lay hands on fifty thousand livres. Why
;~not that rogue Colbert as satisfied as you are? I should
■ .iiie nivself niiudi less than 1 aiu doing at present. When
■ " '. 'Ml want this sum ? "
■• To iimrrow niorniug."
■•(;,Mi,l.;ind --•.'"
Vol. U. — 3
C
i
<
34
Till-: VICi'MTlC UK iniAdELoSSE.
" Vh, true, its aestinatioii, you mean . . „
" No, chevaUtM-, no: I «lo not need any explanation.
" At any rate, to-inoirow is .June Hrst. '
" Well ? '•
" One of our l)on<ls is due."
» We have bonds, then'.' ■' , ^, • i »
« Certainly. To-niorrow we pay our last ttiiril.
"What tliird ?" ,, . „
" The hundred and tifty thousand livres to Haisemeaux.
" Baisenieaux '.' Who is he ? '"^
" The governor ol' the Bastille." i i „. ^
» Ah. yes. true; you make me pay away one hundred and
fifty thiiusand livres for this man ! "
"Well!"
u Hmm!e of 'the appointment which he or rather we bought
from Louviere ami Tremblay." ^^
" All that is very vague in n.y mnid. , ,
" I una-nue so, vou have so mueh on hand ! however, I do
not believ^ you have anything nu.re important than t ns
" Tell me. then, why we purehased tins appouitment.
" In order to be of use to him."
" ••^'' '■ "
" To him, in the first plaee."
" Ami then '.' "
"Then, to ourselves." _ ^,
u How to ourselves ? You are joking. i.^^hHp is
" My lord, there are times when a governor of the liastille is
a very delightful aequaiutauee." , ivUprbHv "
" I have the fortune not to understand you, 1) Heiblaj.
" Mv lord, we have our poets, our inventor, our architect,
our 'niusicians, our printer, our painters ; we must have our
governor of the I'.astille."
"Ah! vou think so '.' " i;i.„i,.
" Mv lord, let us not delude ourselves. We are vep 1 kdj
top^vavisit to the I^astille, dear M. FoUMuet, added he
n-elate, showing between his pale lips teeth whuh -ere stu e
same lu.u.tifvd t.eth admire<l thirty years betore I.n Ma.ie
^'^Za ynn think a hundred and tifty thousand livres ,s not
too much- for that, IVHerbu.y;.' I assure > ou that ordinarily
vou iilace your money better.
THE KING'S CARD-PARTY.
86
" The day will come when you will adii'it your mistake."
■•My dear D'llerblay, the moment one enters the liastille,
(iiif i., no longer protected by the past."'
•• Vt's, he is, it the bonds are perfectly regular; and then,
htlicvc \M\ that excellent Baispmeaux has not a courtier's
hcait. 1 am sure that he will be very grateful to nie for this
money, without counting, as I told you, my lord, the fact of
my retaining the titles.''
•• What a devilish affair 1 Usury is a matter of kindness ! "
•• My lord, my lord, do not mix yourself up with all that; if
t!'.!!*' is usury, I alone practise it. AVe will both of us profit
liy it : tliat is all."
'• Sonic intrigue, D'Herblay ? "
•' I do Hot deny it."
•• And Baiscnieaux an accomplice ? "
" Why not '.' One has worse accomplices than he. So I
may count to-morrow on the five thousand pistoles?"
•• Do you want them this evening ? "
•■ That would be still better, for I wi ,h to start early ; this
I'oor iiaisemeaux, who does not know what has become of me,
is oil j.'iiis."
• ^(M shall have the money in an hour. Ah, D'Herblpy,
tlir intciost of your hundred fifty thousand livres will never
I'ay iiiv lour millions I "' said Fouquet, rising.
■■ Why not, my lord ? "
"*■ 1 evening. T have business wiih my clerks before
retiring.'"
•' I A ish you a good night, my lord."
'• I>'iIt'rl)Lay, you wish me the impossible.''
•• i a!ii to have my fifty thousand livres this evening?"
" \\ 'll. sleep soundly, I tell you. Good night, my lord."
In ^|iitc of tliis assurance and the tone in which it was given,
Koii.piet went out shaking his head and heaving a sigh.
rf
%
II
36
THE VICOMTE DF. BliAGi:^ ONNE.
CHAPTER A\
TUK SMAI.I. ArrOINTS OK M. ItA ISKMF.AT'X PE MONTT.EZUN.
."•'kvi-.x ()"cl(H'k was striking Iroin Saiiit-l'aul wiicii ,' rainis, on
horsebaL'k, in tlie clothes of a simple citizen, — tliat is, dressed
in colored cloth liavini,' lor all distinction a kind of hunting-
knife at his side, — jiassed alonj; the Rue ilii Petit ^luse, and
stopped op]iosite the Rue des Tournelles. at the gate of the
Bastille. Two sentinels were on guard before the gate. They
made 11(1 objection to admitting Aramis. who entered on horse-
back as he was, and directed him, by a gesture, to a long alley
bordered on either side with buildings. This passage led to
tlie drawbridge, that is, to the real entrance.
Tlic drawbridge was lowered, service was about to begin.
The sentinel of the outer body-guard stoppeil Aranus, and
asked him roughly the cause of his connng thither.
.Vramis exi)lained with his usual courtesy that the reason
which brou-ht him was his desire to speak with M. Haise-
ineaux de .Montlezun.
Tiie tirst sentinel <alled to the second stationed in an inner
lodge. The latter put his head to the grating and gazed closely
at tlie new arrival, .\ranus reiterated his wish. The sentinel
at once called to a subaltern who was walking abo\it in a rather
spacious courtyard, .and who, hearing what was wanted, ran to
find an otHcer ot the governor's staff.
The latter, having listened to the retpiest of Aramis, begged
him to wait .i moment, went off a few steps, and then returned
to ask his name.
" I cannot tell you, monsieur," said Aranus, " but know
that I have matters of such imi)ortance to communicate to the
governor that I <'an answer for one thing in advance — that is
that M. de Paisemeaux will be delis^hted to see me. Further-
ni irc, when you have told him that I am the one he expects on
,)une tirst, 1 am convinced that he will hasten here himself."'
The otHcer could not help thinking that a man as important
as the governor would not inconvenience himself f(U' another
man an unimportant as the little citizen on the horse seemed
to be.
•• Heally. monsieur, this happens most fortunately. The
governor is preparing to go out ; you can see his carriage
A<-roryrs <>f m. haisemeaix i>i: Moxri.E>^uy. 5?7
harnesso,! in the oourt-yanl ; ti.ere will be no need, therefore
'-•''"" to ,.ome to you, .sin.e he will see you a.s ho pas^s • '
... ....,.,..., Ie.„„„s „v,.r ,l,e sa,l,ll,..|,„„- .i L' 'c ' tI^,
-^till.
!'■ 'arri.au'e rolled under the arch • hni^ Mwf ., fi •
-v.; ;.r...,. tho „m,.„. „„,,„„,;:;," ;,',;",::;',: , , ;',7;,,S
I"' tlie second tune, and .si.oke a few w,,-,!^ f, fi '^f"l'l'f<l
Wliat difficulty in enterui- !he Bastille, monsieur ' Ts if
• N'l. no, ' said Araniis, " the deuce ' "
'• W liy not •/ '■
•r ''"- venlo?; ^'ie T '''"'""' ^'^^"'^^ ■" ^'- saddle-bags.-'
'''■"•^>^;'i-;.:;.r;;;;;'h!;i;:s^''^^''^^^— ^^
'a";:.oan;Sive'L^^r:;:^;;r^';l^--'"=^'^-^^^
Oet into a carriage to cross a court, monsieur ? Do you
38
77//: VirOMTK DE HRACELONNK.
I
consider me such an invalid ':' No, on foot, aionsieur, on
foot."
Baisenie.uix tlieroupon offered his arm, but the prehito did
not avail himself of it. Thus they reached the government
house, liaiseuieaux rubbiiiL? his hands and glancing at the
horse out of the corner of his eye, Vramis looking at the barj,
black walls. .V rather tine vestibule, a straight, white stone
staircase led to the apartments of Kaisemeaux. The gov-
ernor crossed the ante-chand)er and the dining-room, in which
breakfast was in preparation, opened a small secret door, and
shut himself and his guest up in a large closet, the windows
of which opened obliquely upon the court-yards and the
stables.
Haisemeaux installed the prelate with that politeness of
which only a good man ov a grateful man knows the secret.
An armchair, a cushion at his feet, a small table on which
to lean his arm, - all these the governor himself ]>repared.
He also plai'cd oii the table, witli piims care, the bag of gold
which one of the soldiers had brought up with no less rever-
ence than a priest would show in bringing in the holy sacra-
ment. The soldier withdrew. Haisemeaux closed the door be-
hind him, drew a curtain across the window, and gazed into the
eyes of .Vramis to see if the prelate lacked anything.
" Well, my lord,"' said he, without seating himself, -'so y
continue to be the most faitliful of all men of their word."
"In business matters, dear M. de Haisemeaux, promptness is
not a virtue, it is a simple duty."
" Yes, in business, I understand ; but this is not a tpiestion
of business, my lord ; it is a service yon are rendering me."
" Come, come, dear M. Haisemeaux. admit that in spite of
my promi)tness you have not been without a litth^ anxiety '.' "
"About your health, yes, certainly," stammered Haise-
meaux.
" 1 wanted to come yesterday, but was unable to do so, for
I was too tired," continued Aramis.
Haisemeaux hastened to slip another cushion behind his
guest's back.
" Hut," went on Annus. "I promised myself to c(mie and
pay you a visit early this uutrning."
" Vou are most kind, my lord."
'< .Vnd it was well 1 came promptly, it seems to me."
" Why so ? "
ou
I
Arcnl-yrs OF M. UAISEMEAUX DE MONTLEZUN. 39
" Win were s;oiii>,' out."
H;iist'iii(';uix f(il(jro(l.
" Vcs, 1 was."'
" Tlu'U I am incouvenieuoing you ? "
Til.' oinbarrassment of Baisemeaux became more visible.
•• 'I'li.Mi I weary you," i-outinued Araniis, fixing liis keen glance
on tlicj.oor governor. •• Had I known that I would not have
come.
•' -Vh. my lord, how can you tliink you ever weary me ? "
•• ('oniess that you were going in search of numey."
•• No." stammered Baisemeaux ; " no, I swear to you, I was
going — "
-Is monsieur still going to Af. Fouquet's ?" cried out the
major trom below. liaisemeaux ran to the window like a mad-
man.
■ ^>. '">.;■ I'e cried in despair. " Who in the devil is speak-
ing ot M. houciuet? Are you drunk down there ? Why am I
interrupted when i am engaged in business '.' "
•• Vou were going to M. Fouquefs,"said Aramis, compressing
.us lips: " to the abbe or the superintendent '' "
P.aisemeaux ha.l a great desire to lie, but lacked the courage
•• lo the superintendent's."
-Tlien you see clearly that you were in need of money,
since you were going to one who gives it away."
•• Wiiy, no, my h)rd."
" ( 'ome, you were afraid of me."
■; -My dear lord, the mere uncertainty, the mere ignorance in
w liich 1 was as to where you lived "
•• « 'li : you would have'had money at M. Fouquefs, dear M
l':n>riiieaux, tor he is a man whose hand is always open."
••I swear that I should never have dared ask money from M
'■'■nMiiet. I wanted to ask him for your address ; that was all "
•• My address from M. Fou.piet ? " cried Aramis, opening his
'>''s in spite of himself. ^ ''
"Why,- said Haisemeaux, troubled by the look of the priest,
■■ why, yes, Irom M. Fouquet"
'• There is no liarin in that, dear M. Uai.semeaux. I merely
:i>K wliy seek my address from him?"
'• In order to write to you."
••' 'nulei stand," said Aramis, smiling; "but that is not
"•' ' liK^i.it. I ,lo not ask you why you wanted my address ;
1 a>k you why you went to M. Fouquct fur it " '
m
•
€ w
40
Tin: vicoMTK i)i: unAdiiLoNSi-:
I
.i^.'-
" oil I " said r>iiiseiiie;iux, " because M. Fouquet. having
]i,.ll,..Isle — •'
•• Wcir."'
" ]>ell('-Isle, whicli is in the dioeese of N'aiuu's, and bocause
you are Hisho[) of Vannes — "
'• Dear M. de Haiseiueaux, since you knew tliat I am Uishop
of Vannes, you liad no need to ask iny address from .M. I"'ou-
quet."
" Well, monsieur," said Baisenieaux. at bay, " have I com-
mitted an indiscretion '.' If so, I be,Lf y(jur pardon."
'•("ome, nowl And in what could you have comnutted an
indiscieliou '.' " asked Aramis, calmly.
And while composing his face and sniilin;.,' at the Ljovcrnor,
Aramis wondered how Haisemeaux, who had not known his
adtlress, knew that \'annes was his residence.
" 1 will clear this up," saul he to himself. Then aloud :
"Come, my dear governor, shall we make out t)ur little
accounts ? "
" .\t vour orders, niv lord ; but tell me beforehand — "
" What •.' •'
'' Will you not do me the honor of breakfasting with me, as
usual '.' "
" Yes, willingly."
" That is well."
liaisemeaux struck a bell three times.
" That means '.' "' asked Aramis.
'' That I have some one ior breakfast, and that they are to
act accordingly."
" Ah, the devil I And you strike three times I You seem,
my dear governor, to be acting formally with mt ."
'■ Oh I the idea ! Hesides, the very least 1 can do is to
receive you as well as I can."
" Wliy ? "
'• l>ecause there is no prince who has done for me what you
have done."
" ('ome, now ! "
" Xo, no."
" Let us speak of other things. Or, rather, tell me, are things
going all right at the liastdle '.' "
" Oh, yes."
" Do the prisoners contribute ?"
" 2soue too much."
^'■'■'^rxrs nr ^f. RArsEm:Aux r„, montlezux. 41
"TIm' il.nil : ■■
•• M. 'If Mazariii v,-n.s n„f har.l onourrh '•
an", '';-.Sin;;V' '"' '"'' '' ^'"^'"'""^ .ov.rnment lik. our
•■ ^-s. nn,i..r him matters went well. The I.rofher nf I,i
'■""";•",'•'■ "ia<ie his fortune there."' I'ls^rray
•• l-flifve ine, iny dear ''overnor "' «nirl \ ,.. ■
Its S1IS|,„.„,„S Its t tS of nii.rpr if.. . ■ '""'V- 'O'lthJiaS
'-t.-k .,s ,.m.aut^;;: i"'1^;,f ^;^;™' ^^ '^''J -S^ h- its
>'::-: l''';H';t,. Louvieie anXn.!?':;;' "" ^"" ^°'" ^'"•-
-'.^^^ni 'Sj:;;;;:i 1- .;;:f rs^^^ - ^^^ the.„
•• N'othin- saved, then :' "
.^:i;at.,saidi.t;:;;;:^t^;.a':^rt:Sr^^ ^his
'--- se,.:;;;' alS;;:"' "''"^"^ ^^^^ ^P^^'^^-'- '-^ -uned^ately
,i,.;\'nen:r^'''" ^""' ^^"^ i>-Artagnan:' And how is this
•■ ^\'oiidcrfully well."'
•• A'l'l what (iid vou sav to him Af do 7'..;^
<-x\,\ f 1 ■ •> . ' "liu. .>!. (If. iiuisemeauY *
'- '-; sniiidUv :r:"dt ?«^'r''"r' -^'-^^^ perceiving
,^,.,, ., 1 "t^, 1 .saul to Jnm that 1 fed my prisoners too
;; ;^' - >:;H..y have yo„ :' " asked Aramis, carelessly.
•• ■"" ■' That is quite a round number "
■'■"If :»:"i;:i;n.i:;'a,;;; ss;.'; ■:.!;;:^ ;;>^-'f — »- -„.<,
:;,),'"","''■' "I fifty pistolei I ■' ■■■
1 lie deuce! just cilciil'itc . <•
■"■^'-'-^ I ^'ot titWliVTes a day ''" ' ^''""' '^' ^'^^ ^'^'^°'^' ^«'-
" ^'0, thank God ' ih at i, ' ^^'''' ^?'"«^ "» his voice. ^
"^ wou . tnat lb, no — unfortunately."
•r
lil
k/"
i^
11^
H
42
Tin-: VKOMTi: i)K HRA(;i:i.(>NyE
" Why iinfdrtiiiiatoly '.' '"
" Of course my jiasitioii would be bciicfitf.l hy it"
"Tliat is true.''
" I K''t Ht'ty livres for a prince of the blood.''
'• Yes."
"For a iiKushal of France, thirty-six livre.s — "
" Hut you have no more marshals of France at jiresent than
you have princes of the i)loo(l, have you ?"
" Alas ! no ; it is true that lieutenant-generals and brigadiers
I)ay twenty-four livres, and I have two of them."
"Oh!"
'• After that thi're are the councillors of jiarliament, who
bring me tiftceu livres."
" .Vnd how many of these have you '.' "'
" Four."
"I did not know that councillors were such good revenue."
" Yes, but from Hfteen livres I fall at once to ten."
" To ten •.' "
" Yes, for an ordinary judge or an ecclesiastic, ten livres."
" And you have seven '.' (.Jood work I "
" Xo, bad."
" How so '.'
" How could you expect that I wovdd treat these poor fellows
who amount to something any differently from what I treat a
councillor of jiarliament '.' ""
" Yes, you are right, I do not see tivc; livres' difference
between them."
"You understand, if I have a fine tish I always pay four
or five livres for it; if 1 have a fine fowl it costs me a livre
and a half. I fatten many jiupils of the ])oultry-yard ; but I
have to buy grain, and you cannot imagine tlie army of rats
we have here."
'• Well, why not set against them half a dozen cats?"
" Ah, yes, cats ; tliey eat them. I was forced to give them
up, for you may imagine liow they treated my grain. I am
forced to have terriers which I have sent me from England to
kill the rats. The dogs have a ferocious appetite. They eat
as much as a prisoner of the fifth order, without counting the
fact that they sometimes kill my rabbits and fowls."
Was Aranns listening or not'.' No one could have told.
His downcast eyes showed the attentive man, his restless hand
showed the man absorbed.
.irrorxTs or .V. BA/sz-mka r.\
DE M'>sriKzrs. 4;^
Ar;iiiiis was meditating.
••Iuu.st«llinKyoii,-',.ontimie(lBaispmeinv ..U..f , •
""■ prisoners have nothi u. t ^c o . 7 '''*'''f '" '''•* "^'■^^'"^ ^
tlH.se of -mteen;'"'^"' *'"'^ "* ^''" 'i^-'--s von treated like
" Ves. certainly."
<.tHnZi;:;' •.••''"" ^■^'" "=^'" --" ^-res ten sons on those
""ne niMst eomj.ensate one's self s,;.] n •
saw l.at he had given hi.nself awav ^^'^^^'aeaux, who
•• \o,i nre right, dear governoi- ' Imf l
]">snn,.rs for less than ten livres ■' ■' ^'''" ""'' ''"'"^
••''I', .yes, we have ..itizens and lawyers -
••<.o(m1. At how iniiehv" ^
" At ti\e livres.''
" Do they eat too'.'"
..vi-n'a soie^;;'. ^^^t:^':;:^^ t;^^* ^'-^^ -« -t
•■^"'■.^- "'*^'»l either, and v.'t t ne. "' ' ''"^" '■'*'' ^^'""'^ ^t
^"-'1 .lish for their dinm'r" '' '" ^^'**'^'^ ^'"T luive a
''-m1;- 'r. nn;^J;r;S;^!:-l'3-' -y 'lear governor, and you
-Mn:Ci:'':fif';i;:';;„,;^,^- ^^teen-nvre prisoner does not
' -nd it to the HviJi.^t I ^^'"""^ '''^? -^ ^•>'«' -""ant
""' ^^''^'f ^-"M you ex, e tl (W ;' ?f ^'^!' ''"-' '"^^'' ^^-^l^
•• What do yon .^et on t ,p'«. '"""^ '^^ ^•J'aritable."
" 'Hiirty sois." '^ ''^'■'^" •
••>|o, [mean it, really"
'-■■Vv.'"',;;;:';;,','/,':;:!,,,..''.'," I "'-k ...atyo„ arenght „„„.
'■No.''
'■'"" ■ H,a,„„.I slurge,,,, ■'' "'"" "" '"^V^ f'»"> the
„,.;'■:,;;■;; j:«.i"n„. „,.„,,.,„.,., „„.„„„,, ,.,„„„,^ ,„
44
77//; v/roMTi-: DE /:n.\'.i:iJ>.\ m:.
••Oh. iii.v lord, do not holifve that I am iis stiii^'y as tliut ;
I oviMwlifliii with li!ii)piii<'ss the small tradt'siiiiiii or tlif
liailitfs clerk, by Kiviiij; him the \viii<,' of a red |iartrid,i,'e. a
tilet of venison, "a slice of triitHed |iastry. di>hes which he
never tasted save in dreams; in fact, they aic the scraps of
the twenty-fonr livre j.risoners; he eats, drinks, and at dessert
he cries. • I.on.i; live the Kiii^' ! " and Messes the I'.astille. With
two liottles of chaniiia^Mie. whiih cost me tive sons. 1 make
him driuik every Sunday. Oh! they bless me, they are sorry
when they leave the prison. Do you know what 1 have
noticed'."'
'• No, inde<Ml."
'• Well. I luive noticed — and do you know that it is a bless-
inj,' tor my house'.' well, I have noticed that certain prisoners
who have been freed have had themselves imprisoned attain
at once. Why should this be done it' not in order tu enjoy my
kitchen '.' Oil 1 This is really true."'
.Vraniis smiled doubtfully.
" Vou smile '.' "'
•• Ves.-
•• 1 tell v(iu that we have some names enrolled three times
in the space of two years."
•• 1 must see befoie 1 believe."
" Oh 1 1 can show you, althout,'h we are forbidden to let
straiiLTcrs see the reL;isters.
" I suppose su."
" r>ut, my lord, if you wish to see it with your own eyes — "
" 1 confess 1 would be delighted."
'• Very well."'
Baise'meaux went to a cupboard and drew out a large vohime.
Araniis followed him eagerly with his eyes.
IJaisemeaux returned, laid the register ou the table, turned
over the leaves for a moment, and paused at the letter M.
" hook." said lu', "you may see for yourself'."'
'• What '.' "'
"'Martinier, January, 1(;.")9; .Martinier, .June. ICOO- Mar-
tinier, March. KKil. Pamphlets. Mazarinades, < ic.' Von see
that it was only a prete.vt. They were not imi>risoned in the
Bastille for jokes against M. Mazarin ; the fellow denounced
himself in (U'der that he might be imprisoned. .\nd with
what object, monsieur'.' For the purpose of reiurning to eat
my menu at three livres."
ARAMIS MECHANICALLY TURNED THE LEAVES OF THE REGISTER.
\
li
, .. . /
Arcor.y/s or .\f. .• \isf:.\fFAi'.\' in: Mosriji/.rs. 45
'• 'I'liift' li\ri's ! I'oor wiPtclit's I"
*' Vt'>, my liii'(l. tin- |i<)('t Ix'ldii'^'s to tlic lowest stajjo, the
iiH'iiii nl tlic .siiiull tr;i(l('siiKUi and of tli»> hailitrs clerk; but
as I tdld you. il is just to tlmse tliat I ^,'ive sucli surprises."
Aramis iiiecliaMically turned the leaves ot" the retjister, eoii-
tiiiuiiii,' til read, but without aiipcariuf; to take any interest in
the names.
'•Ill lOdl.ycm see," saiil l>aisenieaux. " eijj;htv entries ; in
l(i.V.». ei-hty."'
" .Mil Seidtin," said .\ramis, " I know that name, it seems
to me. Was it not you who spoke to me about a younj^ man '.' ''
'• \'es. yes ! a poor devil of a student who made — what do
you call It when two Latin verses rhyme'.'"'
" .\ distadi."
" Vcs, that is it."
'• Poor fellow I For a distich."
" The deuce I How you do f^o on I Do ycu know that ho
made this distich a<,'ainst the Jesuits '.' "
'• 'I'hat makes no ditl'erence, the punishment seems to me
vcrv sevei'e.''
'• Do not i)ity him ; last year you seemed to he interested in
him."
'• Xo doubt."'
•• Well, as your interest is all-powerful here, my lord, since
then I have treated him as a fifteen-livre prisoner."
'■ Like this one, then,"" said Aramis. who had continued to
turn the leaves, and who now stopped at one of the names
which followed that of Martinier.
'• Y'es, like that one."'
" Is this .Marchiali aii Italian '.' " asked .\ramis, f)ointiiii,' to
the name which had attracted his attention.
" Hush ! "" said ISaisenieaux.
"Why hush'.'"' .asked .Vramis, involuntarily clinchin<:j his
white hand.
'• I thoui^'ht I had already si»oken to you of this Marcliiali."'
'• No, this is the lirst time I have heard the name."'
'• Possibly ; but I have spoken to you about him without
iiientioniiii,' his name."'
'• Is he an old oifender ?" asked Aramis, trying to smile.
" Xo, he is (juite yount;;, on the contrary."
'• Ah I his crime is i,'reat. then ? "
" Unpardonable."
46
THE
ViroMIK III-: ini.KiELoSNE.
" He has assassinateil ? ''
" Bah : "
" Hiirned anvthins '^ "
" Bah : "
" Cahiiimiated '.' "' ^^
" Oh ! no, he is thi> one who — ' _
And Haisenieau:: leaned towards Aramis ear, making an
ear-triuni)Pt of his hands. ,,4.1 >»
"He is the one wlio alh.wed liiinselt to resemble the —
" \h, ves, ves." sai.l Aramis; '• I kn..w ; you spoke to me
ahoiit it iast year; but .he crime appeared to me very slight.
" Slight '.' "
" Or, rather, invohmtary." , ^ ,. \ „
" My lord. It is not involuntarily that one detects such a
"'-* WelTas a matter of fact, I had f.u-gotten it. But, my dear
host," said Aramis, - 1 think we are sent tor."
Baisenuaux took the register, carried it hastily back o the
fui.board. whi.di he locked, an.l i-ut tiie key into his pocket.
'• Will it idease you to bre;ikfast no\v, my^lord .'' l^or you
are not mistaken. '\Ve are summoned to eat."'
" As you will, my dear governor.''
And they passed into the dining-room.
CH APT Ell V
THK
liUK.VKKAsr wriH M. 1)K. H.\lSEMKA''.iC.
AnxMis was usuallv temperate; but tliis time, vhile manag-
ing carefullv about the u-inc. he did full honor to Haisemeaux s
breakfast, whi.li. lor that matter. w;is excellent.
The host, on his part, was animation itself. The sight ot
the ti\e thousand lustolcs. on which from time to time he
turned his ev.-s. oiuMie.l his heart. Now and then, too. he
looked at Aramis with -entle tenderness. The latter leaned
back in his chair and to.,k from his glass a few sips of wine
ill t' manner of a connoisseur.
" \,^t no one come to me t(. si)eak ill of tlie fare at the Bas-
tille,"' said Ai lis. half elosinu' his eyes; - hapjiy the priscmers
who have even half a buttle of this Burgundy everyday!'
THE P.HHAh'FAST WITH M. DE BA/SEMEAUX.
47
" All tho lifteon-frane ones drink it," said Baisemeaux. " It
is very old Volnay."
'■ And onr poor student, our poor Seldon, has he this excel-
l.'ut Volnay ? "
" Oh, no!"
•• I thou^dit I heard you say that he was one of the fifteen-
livrt' iirincniers."
'• ill' '.' Never ! A man who makes districts! How could I
liavo told you that ? "
" l)isti('hps."
'• At tifteen livres ? Come, now ! It is his neighbor who is
;i tiftocn-livip prisoner."
•■ liir neighbor ? "
•• Ves."
•^ Which one?"
"The otlier ; the second Bertandiere."
•• My dear f,'ov(>rnor, excuse nie ; but you speak a language
liir which an ai)prenticeship is absolutely necessary."
•• N'cry true, I be;,' jiardon. The second Hertaudiere, you
si'f. is the one who occujiies the second story of the tower of
thf IScrtau'Uere."
" So Bt uliere is the name of one of the toweu A the Bas-
tille '.' The fact is, I have heard that each tower has a name.
Where is this one ? "
'• Look,"" said Baisemeaux, going to the ■.vindow. " It is the
seciiiul to the left."
" Sol .Viid the hfteeu-livre prisoner is there?"
" Ves."
•-'When did he come ?"
•• Oh, the devil I Some seven or eight years ago."
•• Wh it do you mean by some '.' Do you not know your dates
more exactly '.' "
It was not in mv time, dear D'llerblay."
■■ Hut it, seems to me that liouviere or Tremblay would have
t'Mil you. "
■• ' 'h. my dear monsieur, you must pardon me."
•• Xn laatter. You were saying?"
•• Tliat tlie secrets of the Bastille are not lian( . over with
till' keys of the governorship."
■ Indeed! Then this prisoner's case is a mystery, a state
bci'i'et ? "
f
4-11
r;^
48
77//; vrcoM-rr: de I'.racei.osne
» Oh, „n : I ,1.. not think it IS astute sorrel ; it is a secret
like evervthiii-r else nt the Uiistille.
" Veiv
-lU.I
Aniiiiis; "but why, tlieii, th) yon sneak
mure freely of Sehhm than of^— '"
-The second Hertandiere?"
i: Whv." beeanse in n,v oy\n\on the crune of a nmn who has
made a disticli is less than that of one who resembles —
" Ves, yes, I see ; but the jailers ? "
'• The jailors ? '" ^^
" They talk with your prisoners.
" ^Vnd'vonr'l>"^""ers ™"«t ^^^^ ^^''"' ^'^^*^ ^^'^^\ ""! "°* ^^L
<• They say nothing but that ; it is the regular fornuila; the
^'^M^es'S this resemblance of which you were speaking just
now ? ■'
"Well?" .,
>« Does it not strike the turnkeys ? v, „ ,.„„
M)h, my dear M. (nierblay,one must be a courtier like jou
to troidile about such tletails."
« You are right, mv dear M. <le Baisemeaux, - a thousand
times right. Anothei^ drop of this Volnay, 1 beg of you.
"Not a drop, b>it a full glass." , , , ,, „ .:„„ ^f
"No no- You have renuiined a musketeer to the tips ot
youi' fingers, while I have become a bishop. A drop for me, a
glass for you."
" So be it."
Araniis and the governor touched glasses.
" Uut " said Aramis, fixing his bright glance on the ruby
liquid raised on a level with his eyes, as if he wished to en.py
it with every sense at once, '• but that which you call a resem-
blance, another might not notice, iierhaps.
"Oh. yes: Any one would if he knew the one be re-
^^"' I uiink, dear M. de Uaisemeaux, that it is simply a matter
of imagination on yoiu- part."
" No, on my honor." .
" Listen ■• nmtinued Aramis. " 1 have seen many like tue
one of wh.>iA we are sp.-aking, but out of respect no one men-
tioned it." ,
"No doubt because there are resemblances and resem-
Tin: BRKAKFASr Willi M. 1)E hAlSllMKArx. 49
l'l;uiccs ; this one is striking, and were vou tu see liim — "
•• W ell ? ■■
•' ^'iHi yourself would admit it."
•• Ii I wpi-e t(, see l.ini/' said Aran.is, abstractedly ; '• and vet
HI ;!ll jirolialnhtv that will never be "'
■■ Why not ■."■
•• li.vau.e if I were to put my foot into one of those horrid
• '■Us. 1 sh.Mild tiunk I were buried forever."
" ^'t ;i' al! ; the cells are <,'ood places."'
" Nit.
•• W'liat do you mean by ' no " '.' '"
•• 1 honestly do not believe you ; that is all."'
" I'liMse do n(.t speak ill of"the seeoiid Hertaudiere. It is a
;;n,»| place, lurnished very nicely, ami carpeted "
'• I he devil I "'
■■ Ves the fellow has not been uidiappv ; the best lodg-
iiiLC '■! the Itastdle has been his. There is a "chance for you ' ''
"<''Hae. come,"' .said Arands, col.Uv, -von wdl never make
111*' liciieve there are good rooms in the Hastille ; and as to vour
carpets — " ■'
•' Well, as to my carpets ? "
■• W ell. they exist only in your imagination. I see spiders
nits, and even toads."' '
•• i.'ads? (»h. so far as the (hmgeons are concerned I will
lint say.
•• And I see ndghty little furniture and no carpets at all."
•• Are you the man to be convinced bv vour eyes?" said Baise-
incaux, suddenly.
" N'o. iorsooth ! Xo ! "
•• Not even to make sure of this resemblance which you deny
as you do the carpet '.' '" '
'• >uni(> spectre, some shadow, a dying wretch."
" N'o, no : The gayest fellow in the world."
" >^ud. and ill-tempered ? "
"Xot at all; lively."
" (.'ome, now I '"
"That is the word—"
'• luip(«sible.'"
■' <'iime.'"
'■ Where?"
•• W ith me."'
•■ Wliy-.'"
VuL. II. —i
i
50
THE VICOMTE DE HRACELOXNE.
" To make a tour of the r.astille."
"How?" „
'• Voii shall sf'f for yourself, with your own eyes.
" But the r('i,nihitions '.' "
.. Oh' never nniul thfui. It is the day for my majors
leave of absence; the lieutenant is luaking his round of the
bastions, and we are our own masters." ■ .
" No, no. dear <;overnor; even the thought of the seraping ot
the bolts we shoulu have to draw makes me shudtler."
" Well '.' "
" You might foiget me ii! some third or fourth Hertaudiere.
Ugh ! "
" Von are joking ?
" Xo, I am speaking seriously."'
'• Vou refuse an unusual opportunity. Do you know that
in order to o\)taui the favor 1 propose giving you certain
prinees of the blood have ottered as much as hfty thousand
livres '.' "'
" lleallv, it is very interesting, then."
' Forbidden fruit, my lord; forbidden fruit! you who be-
loii" to the chuich ought to know that."
•' No. Had 1 air, curiosity, it would be for tlie poor author
of the distich." „
" Well, let us see him ; he occupies the third Beiiaudiere.
" Why do vou say that ? " _
" Because, so far as I am concerned, if I had any curiosity
it would be for the beautiful carpeted room and its lodger."
"Bah: furniture is comiuonplaee ; an insiguiticant face is
devoid of interest.'"
" A tifteen-livre ])risoner, my lord, a tifteendivre prisoner
is ;tiwavs interesting.'"
••Oh.' I forgot to ask \oc about that. Why fifteen livres for
him and only three for poor Seldon ? "
" Vou seel the distinction is a fine one, monsieur ; in it one
sees the kindness of the Ki;ig."
" Ot the King? the King?
"Of the cardinal, I mean. 'This poor wretch,' said M. de
Mazarin himself, — ' this poor wretch U destined to live for-
ever in prison.' "'
•' Why ? •'
••Tiie'devil! it seems to me that his crime is lasting; and
that conseiiueiitly the punishment ought to be so too."
-y .
THE BREAKFAST WITH U. DE BAlSEMEArX. ol
" LaHtinp '.' "'
" Ves, unless lie lias the lurk to catch th(> small-pox, you
uudorstand, —and even this chance is rare, fur there is no bad
air in the Bastille.*'
" Your logic is as clever as possible, dear M. de Baisemeaux "
" Is it not ? ■'
" Von meant to say, then, that this wretched maa must
suffer without interruption or termination "
••I did not say 'sufter,' my lord; a tifteen-livre prisoner
docs not suffer."
'• He suffers imprisonment, at least."
'• Xo doubt ; that is fate ; but his suffering is softened for
him. You must admit that this fellow did not come into the
world to eat all the good things he does eat. You shall see.
We have here this pastry which has not been touched, these
crawfish from the Marne, as large as lob.-iers; look! Well,
all this will be taken to the second Bertaudiere with a bottle
of tlie Volnay wliich you find so good. Having seen, you will
HO longer doubt, I trust."'
" Xo. my dear governor, no ; but in all that you are think-
ing only of the very happy fifteen-livre prisoner, and you
always forget jjoor Seldon, my proteije"
•• Well, out of consideration for you it shall be a gala day
for him ; he shall have some biscuits and preserves, with this
bottle of port."
'• Wnx are a good fellow, as I have already said, and now I
rejicat it. my dear Baisemeaux."
'• Let us start," said the governor, somewhat muddled,
partly from the wine he had drunk and partly from the
praises of Aram is.
" Remember that what I do is merely to oblige you," said
tiie prelate.
" Oh, you shall thank me on returning."
'• Lot ns start, then."
" Wait until I summon the jailer."
iiaisemeaiix rang twice; a man appeared.
•■ I am going to the towers," said the governor. " N'o
gii iiils, no drums, in short, no noise whatever ! "
M' I were not leaving my cloak here," said Aramis, pre-
tciutiug to be afraid, " 1 should really think 1 were going to
prison on my own account."
riic jailer preceded the governor, Aramis walking on the
THE VICOMTE DE BRAGEI.nSXE
ritiht. Somo scattt^rfd soMiors in tlio rourt-vurd drew them-
solves up as stiff as posts as the -jovfi'iior jjasx''!. Haispmeaux
made !iis liost descend several steps leadin,^' to a sort of
esplanaiie. 'riienee tiiey •■anie to the drawbridi^'e. where the
sentinels received the i,'overnor and sahited. him.
■■ Monsieur. " tiien said the ;j;ovtMiior. turning towards .\raniis
and speaking' so tiiat the sentinels should not lose a word;
" monsieur, von have a good n\emory, have you not ? "'
" Wliv '.' " asked Aramis.
" For vonr plans and your measurements; you know it is
not allowed even to architects to cuter the prisoner's cells with
paper, pens, or a pencil."
•• (Jood," said Aramis to hini-elt; >• it seems that I am an
architect. Is not this another joke ot D'Artagnan, who saw
in WW the engineer of Helle-lsle '.' "'
Then aloud :
•• I'.e easy, nionsit>ur i in our profession a glance and a good
memory siitKce."
l>aisemeau\ did not move a muscle, the guards took Aramis
for what he seemed to be.
•' Well, let us go tirsu to the Hertandiere," said Haisemeaux,
still uith the intention of being overheard by the sentinels.
'■ Yes," replied .Vraniis.
Then turning to the turnkey :
" You will take the oppcu-tunity." said he, ••' of carrying to
Nundier 2 the dainties I pointed out."
" You always forget Number :\, dear M. de Haisemeaux."
'• That is true."'
They ascended the stairs. The number of bolts, gratings,
and locks in that one court-yard would have answered for the
safety of an entire city. Aramis was neither a dreamer nor a
sensitive man : he lunl eo iiosed verses in his youth, but at
heart he was hard, as is cveiy man of fifty -five who has greatly
loved women, (^r, rather, who has been greatlj loved by them.
l?ut when he ]ilaced his foot on the worn stime steps over
wliich so manv wretches had passed, when he felt himself
im[iregnated by the atmosphere t)f those sombre dungeons,
damp with tears, he was overcome beyond a doubt, for his
head was lowered, his eyes grew troubled, and he followed
Baisemeaux without uttering a word.
77//; Sf-COXD STORY OF THE BEHTAVDlkHE. 53
CHAPTER VI.
THE SECOXI) STORY OF TIIK liERTAmiEKE.
At the second floor, whether from fatij^ne or emotion the
visitors breath failed him. He h'aned ajrainst tiie wail '
•• Will you begin with this one •.' " said Haisemeaux, « since
we are -oini.,' from one to the other it matters little, it seems
to nic, whether we go from the second to the third, or from the
thiid to the second. Hesides, there are certain repairs tobemade
iM this loom," he hastened to add for the benefit of the turnkey
who was within hearing.
•• No, no," cried Aramis, eagerly, " higher, higher, monsieur, if
you p case ; the higher is the more urgent." They continued to
.iscciid.
•' Ask the jailer for the keys," whispered Aramis, in a low
tone.
'• Willingly."
Haisemeaux took the keys, and himself opened the door of
11.C tiiinl chamber. The turnkey entered first and laid on a
table the provisions which the good governor had called dainties.
1 hen he left. Ihe prisoner had not stirred.
Haisemeaux then entered in his turn, while Aramis stood on
.he threshold. From that place he saw a young man, a youth
ol eighteen, who raised his head at the unusual sound, jumped
<>tt the bed, and perceiving the governor, clasped his hands and
liigan to cry, "My mother ! my mother!"
Tiie young man's tones were so full of grief that Aramis
sluvcred in spite of himself.
" -My dear guest," said Baisemeaux, trying to smile, " I brin"'
you at once both a diversion and an extra, the one for the mind
•uid the other fo:- the body. Here is the gentleman who is to
take some measurements, and here are some preserves for vour
iicssert. •'
•; Oh, monsieur, monsieur ! " said the young man, " leave me
-'itary for a year, feed me on bread and water for a year, but
M me that at the end of that time I shall go away from here
Ml^ me that at the end of a year I shall see my mother
" But, my dear friend," said Baisemeaux, " I heard you say
:|
\\
*iA
-w^
%
I
4
54
Tin: viioMTi: />/■; nnAaELOS'XK.
t., vouispU Ili.it voiir uH.th.M- was voiy puoi-.tluit yon were very
baaiv lM(li,'e(l witli Imt. wliih' h.Te — llio deuce '."
'• Weiv she i»Mir, monsieur, so luiich tlie uiore reason for one
to ^'ive her his supi^ort. l'(.orly hxlijed with her? Oh, mon-
sieur, one is always well lod^'ed when one is free."
'• In short, sinre you yourself say that you did uothin-,' but
write that uid'ortunate distich — "'
'■ Vnd unintentionallv, monsieur, absolutely unintentionally,
I swear to vou ; I was readin.i,' ' Martial ' when the idea .-ame to
„„'. Oh : 'mousi.-ur, let me be punished, let my hand with
which I liave written be cut oif. 1 will work with the other;
but i,'ive me back iiiv motlier.''
" My boy."' said Haisemeaux, " you know th.at this does not
de]iend on me ; I can only increase your rations, f^jive you a
little 1,'lass of jHirt. slip a biscuit between two plates."
" Oh. my ( ;o<l 1 my (iod ! " cried the young man, throwing him-
self back and rolling on the Hoor.
Incapable of longer supporting this scene, Ararais withdrew
to the landing.
'< I'oor wretch 1 " he murmured.
" Oh, yes, monsieur, he is very wretclied ; but it is the fault
of his ]iarents.''
" How so ? ■'
" Why did they have him learn Latin ? Too much science,
you seei monsieur, that does harm. I can neither read nor
write ; so I am not in ]u-isoii.''
Aram is looked at the man who called being a jailer in the
Bastille not being in prison.
15aiseme,aux, seeing that his counsels and his port wine were
of no avail, left the cell, greatly troubled.
'' Well : And the door ! The door ! " sl id the jailer ; " you
forgot to sliut the door I "
"That is true," said H.aisemeaux. " Here, take the keys."
'< I will ask pardon for this boy," said Aramis.
" And if y.iu do not obtain '^'' said Haisemeaux. " at least ask
that they bring him to the ten livres ; by that we will both gain."
<' If the other priscmer also calls for his mother," said
Aramis, " 1 prefer not to go in ; I will make my measurements
from the outside. ""
" Oh 1 " said the jailer, " do not fear. Monsieur Arcliitect, the
other iS as gentle as a lamb; to call his mother, he would have
to bpeakj and he never speaks."
T
THI-: SF.roSD STORY OF THE liF.liT.U'DlEltE. 55
" Let us onter, then," said A rain is, dully.
" < )li, monsieur," said the tunikcy, •• are'you the arrhitect of
the prisons.''
" Ves."
" And you are not more accustomed to all this ? That is
surprising." Araniis saw that in order to avoid arousMiir sus-
jiicions he must summon all his strength to his aid. iJaise-
iiieaux had the keys and opened the door.
'• Stay outside," said he to the jailer, " and wait for us at
tiie hottom of the steps." The jailer obeyed and withdrew.
Haisemea' ■; entered fir.st and opened the second door himself.
Then there was seen in the sfpiare of light which filtered
tiirough the iron-barred window a handsome young man, short
of stature, with closely-crojjped hair and an already growing
heard. He was seated on a stool, his elbow on an armchair
and all the ujjper i)art of his Ixxly reclining against it. His
• lothes, thrown on the bed, were of fine blai!k velvet, and he
was inhaling the fresh air blowing against his breast, which
was covered with a shirt of the finest possible cambric.
As the governor entered the young man turned his head
with a movement of indifference, but on recognizing Baise-
iiicaux he arose and saluted liim courteous)}'. When his eyes
l''ll on Aramis, standing in the shadow, the latter trembled,
turned pale, and his hat, which he held in his hand, fell from
limi as if all his muscdes had relaxed at once. Meantime
r>;usemeaux, accustomed to the presence of liis prisoner, did
ii'it seem to feel any of the sensations which Aramis felt; he
laid on the table his pastry and his crawfish, as a servant full
of zeal would have done. Thus occupied, he did not notice the
anxious look of his guest. But when he had finished he spoke
to tlio young prisoner.
■ Vou look well," said he; "that is good."
"I ain very well, monsieur, tliank you," replied the young man.
I'lie voice almost stunned Aramis. In spite of himself lie took
I stcj) forward, with trembling lips. The movement was so
visdilc that it could not escape Baisemeaux, occupied as he was.
" Here is an architect who is to examine your chimney,"
■^aid Baisemeaux ; " does it smoke ? "
•' Never, monsieur."
" Vou said that one could not be happy in prison," said the
LV'vcrnor, rubbing his hands. " Yet here is a prisoner who is.
^ ou do not complain, I trust ? "
of>
/7/a; \i< xmti: i>i-: nRAar.i.ossE.
'■ Never."
•> V.Mi lire ni.t tived?" ;iske.l Ariimis.
"so'-''s,lhI r.aisem.MUx m it Inw tone, " Nvas I not rij,'ht ■."•
...,-,,; aeure, n.v -leiir -..ven...r : What .'an you expe.-t .
n„,. uu.st vieM t.; ev„lenee. Is it allowe.l to ask lum ques-
tions '.'
«• As inaiiv as vou wish.'' ... , , i i „
.. Well, do me the kindness to ask hnu it he knows wh> ho
'' .-Monsieur iv.iuosts nie to ask you." sai.l_ Raiseineanx, " if
vou know th." ivasou for your imprisonmont."
.< No uionsi.Mir," said the voun- man. simply, " I do not.
" i'.ut that is impossible," said Araniis, earne.l away ui spite
ot hims.df. •• If you were ii,'norant of the eause of your deten-
tion, you would be furious."
•' I'was durin:^ the tirst day."
" Why are you so no lon<,'er '.' "
'• l?ecause I have retleeted."
"That is stran,i,'e," said Aramis.
" Is it not odd'.' '" said Baisemeaux.
" And about what did you reflect ? " asked Aramis; « may
one ask vou, monsieur ? " .^.11)4-
•• I reflected that, haviu;.,' committed no crime, txod could not
punish me." , , -c -i. ■ 4.
" I5ut what is the prison, then." asked Aramis, if it is not
ii imnishinent '.' " , n t 4.„ii
■■ Vlis ' " said the voun<,' man, •• I do not know ; all 1 can tell
you is that it is entirely the contrary to what I said seven
"'"To hear vou. monsieur, to see your resignation, one would
be tempted to believe that you liked the prison."
•• I endure it."
" In the certaintv of being free some day ? "'
" I liave no certainty, monsieur; I have hope, that is ail;
;ind vet every dav I adniit this hope grows less."
<• but why should you not be free since you have already
been so '.' '" ,
" That is iust the reason,'" replied the young man, that
prevents my expecting liberty ; why should^Uiey have impris-
oned nie if "they intended freeing me later?"
" How old are you ? "
77/ f; Sf-:cf)\l) STOHV OF Tiff: lif'.RTMDlRHf:.
• >*
'• I lid not kiinw."
" What is your name '.' "
" I have foi^jotten the name I had."
" Vour parents '.' ''
" I never knew tliein."
'• lint those w}io brought you up '.' "
" They (lid not eall me their son."'
'• Did you love any one before coming liero?"
'• I loved my nurse and my flowers."
'• Was tluit all '.' ■'
" I also loved my valet."
'• ^"ou miss this nurse and tliis valf't ? "
•• I cried a great deal when tlu-y died."
•• Have they died since yon came here or before?"
•• 'I'liey died the evening before I was carried off."
•■ .\t the same time ? "
•• Ves.'*
■• .\nd how were you carried off? "
■• .V man came for me, made me get into a carriage, which
was closed and locked, and brought me here."
•• Would you recognize that man again ? "
•• He wore a mask."
• Is not the story an extraordinary one ?" said Baisemeaux
111 a low tone to Aramis.
Aramis could .scarcely breathe.
•• \'cs, very extraordinary," said he.
•• I'>ut that which is still more extraordinary is tliat he has
ii'vcr told me as much as he has just told you."
■ I'erhaps it is because you have never questioned him," said
Aianiis.
•' That is possible," replied Baisemeaux ; " I am not inquisi-
'i\e. Vou see the room ; it is fine, is it not ? "
., Very."
•■ .V carpet — "'
•• Superb."
'• 1 11 wager that he had nothing like it before coming
he:
'• 1 believe that."
i hen turning to the young man :
■■ Do you never remember having been visited by a strange
mail or woman?" lie askeil.
■' < *h, yes ; three times by a woman, who every time came in
-A
A,
.A
JimiUUm
JH
5^
Tin: viinMTi: i>i: i',n\(:Ki.<)Syi:.
ac-irriii— In tin' ,1,m,i-. mid .■nt.r.Ml .(.v.Mvd witli ;i v.'il which
she M \u\ r:u^'' HI. til 111.' .in..r whs closcil ;iu.l wo were
IllltlU'.'"
•> I)o Villi IfllliMuluM- the Wdluail '.'
" V.sV'
" Whilt (lid sho s;iv tu ydu/"
Th.' vnunu' ii':ni siihI.mI Mully. " Sli.- iisk.-l in.,^ what you
h;ivr jii.t ask.'d iiH' il 1 wnv hai.i.y or -rnwm- t.n'.l.
•• \iiil wlicn >lit' airivnl m- li'tt '.'
.. Slu' iMvssc.l 111.' Ml li.r luiiis, h.'l.l in.' .•!..>.• t.) lier heart,
ami Uissfil m.'.'"
" \\)\\ ri'iiicnilit'i' li.'i' '•' "
" IVii.'.'tly."
'• I am askiii'^' it x.m r.'iiicmli.'r Imt 1. 'atari's .'
'•'riit'ii y. 11 x^.'iil.l ■■.'.■. 'k'lii/.' h.'r if .han.'.' bn'a,i,'ht her to
v. in .11' y.'ii '" li'''' '■'
•• oh, .■t'l-taiulv." .
\ Hash .if H.'.'tui- satisla.'ti.'n jiassed across Aramis lace.
At that m.uii.'ut BaiscM.'au^ heard the jaih'r, wh.) had returned.
"Shall we i,'o '.' ■■ sai.l he hastily to Aramis.
rn.liahly Aramis knew all thai he wished to know.
'•When' y.Mi wisli." sai.l he. The youii^ man saw them
Ijreiiare to "h'ave ami saluted tliem politely.
Haisemeaux r.>idied hv a m.-r.' bow. Aramis, made respect-
ful n.) d.'ubt by the younj,' man's ntisfortrne, bowed low to the
i)risoner. , , ■ , i
They went <.iit : Haisemeaux cl.ised the door behind tliem.
" Well : ■■ sai.l r.aisemeaux on the stairs, " what do you say
to all that?"
" I have dis.'.ivered the secret, my dear i,'(,vernor.
" I'.ali ! And wliat is the s.'cret ? "
.•Thir.' was a mnrder c.immitted in that house."
" ( 'ome 11. )W I '"
" Tlie valet and the nurse dead the same day."
"Well?"
" Poison."
"Ah:*"
'• What ilo y.ni think?"
" That it niav be true. What 1 that youu<,' man an assas.sin ? "
" Wii.> told you that ? What makes you think the poor fel-
low may be an assassin ? "
THK SF.mSD STOIfY OF THE nERTMDikHi:. aO
" What I tol.l you."
" 'I'lio ciiiiH' was ooinifiittpd in his hniisp ; tluit is oii(iii<,'li.
I'frhiips he saw tho ciuniiials, ami it was IVartMl he iiiit,'ht tell."
'•The (ic'vil : if I Knew tiiat."'
" W.'ll •."'
•• I would it'(h)ul>h' the ,i,Miar(i."'
" Oh, hf (hicH not seem to wis}; to escape."
" Oh, you (h) not know piisoneis."
" Has ht' l)ooks ? "
•• Nevf'i- ; we are absolutely ton \;hlen to give them."
'• \bsolutely '.'"
" Hy y\. Mazariii's own hand.''
" Have you this note ? "'
'• Ves, my lord; do you wish to see it ou retiirnin'' for vour
cloak .
•• N'ery laucli ; auto^M•a|llls ])lease me very much.''
"This one is iierfectly authentic, theic; is only one erasure
in it."
•• .Ml I an erasure, and in what « niinHctioii V"
'• III cniiiiectiou with a tigui-e."
" \ li'-iiie ? "
•• \'es. Tills is what there was tirst : Hoard at fifty livres."
•• Like princes of the blood, then '.' "
•• r>iit the cardinal must have seen that lie was mistaken,
vnii see, he rubbed out the zero and added a 1 before the "».
I'.iit — "
•' What ? "
•■ Vi)U do not speak of the resemblance."
'■ I <io not speak of it, dear M. de Hai.seineanx, for a very
s!i,i|i[e reas<iii : I do not speak of it becau.se it does not e.xist.''
•• oil, the idea!"
■• ' h' that if it exists, it is .n your imagination ; and that
I veil should it exist elsewhere, 1 think you would do well not
t" --peak of it.''
•• 'teally :"
••King Touis XIV., you understand, would be mortally
<'li'''iided with you if he learned that you lielpe.l spread the
"port that one of liis subjects had the audacity to resemble
l|il!l."
••That is true," said liaisemeaux, thoroughly startled; "but
' Imvc sp 'ken of the mattei only to you, and you understand,
:".'■ liii<l, ti it I count on your discretion.''
II
I
60
THE Viri'MTi: r>E nUAGELONNE.
l-h
<1K
'' ( )li. lif oasy."
'i Do yoii still wi
it;iteil.
•' ('ertaiiilv
,li to see the m
.te ? ■' said Baisenieaux,
(
'ollViM'SlIl'
tl
lU.
thov
iftuniod. Haisemeanx <
ilrew
from
the ciiiihoaitl a piivatt
leu'is
,ti-i' siiiiilar to
tl
,(' one
he h,
air
eailv s
illoWU
to Arainis, hiit fasteiu
,1 bv a lock. Thf key
1 OIKMIPC
dru'i
laisciiicaux
111 tilt' talilc
I this lock was jiart of a siiia
,11 bunch which
alwav
he"
s can
OIlClUM
ied with him. Then placing
the book
1 it to the letter
,1/ and showed to
Araiuis this noie lu
t!
le CO
ihniin of observations.
Xo In,,,/.:
/iiifii iiii'i
',tli.
,f (],•■ fiiifst i/ii
il'iti
no
,1k.
II (t elm II 'I'
/iitirr
M,
il lust rum rut-'
fi-i ni
ithin irltli (imj one.
Hhfi-tii for comfort ; ^fiftem
III) fi, III mini iri
I'll
h,
;/. M. «/'■ Jliiisi'iiii'iniX dill pitt III
fiirtlu
cl-li
',f t III- li fliiii lii'ri
if sii(h''
IS a HI
atter of fact," said Baisenieaux,
now that I think
:)f it. 1 shall make a elain
Araiui:
•• Ves.'
wiitiiu
I closed the book.
I h
aiil lu
■ that is il
ideed in M. de Ma/.arin's
hand-
1 1
t'CO-'lllZ' 1
t. Now, mv dea
r tro
vcrnor,"' he con-
tinued, as if this last comnn
ition had exhausted his interest,
let us iiass
if vou will, to our little iilaus
Well : what time do vou wis
\\ me to apiK.int '.' Settle it
time. (Jive me simply an acknowledg-
if one hundi/d and fifty thousand francs. ""
yoursfll.
•• Do not fix any
meut <
•• Tavabl.
•• Wii
whiMi vou voursclf wish it.
I wish. r>ut. vou unt
stand, 1 shall wish it only
(>
am (luite i
asv," said Uaisemeaux, sniihng
but I
have
alicailv ".
Uiil w
dven vou two re<'ei
hi(di vou see I destroy.
pts.
.\iid .Vraniis, a
ft"r showiii'.' the two receipts to the governor,
..k of conlidence. Haisemeanx unhesi-
kiiowledgment of one hundred and
actually destroyed then
Overcome by such a mat
tatini,dv wmti' out an ack..-
lifty thousand francs payable at the pleasure of the prelate
Aiamis. who had billowed the jien by glancing over i
]iiit the note in his pock.'t without appear-
X entirely at his ease.
the
irovcruiir s sluiuUli'i'
ing b
have re. id it, which put 15aisemeai
THE TWO FRIENDS.
HI
" Now," said Aramis, " you would not be angry with me,
would you. if I were to carry off some prisoner?"
" How do you mean ? "
" Hy obtaining his pardon, of course. Did I not tell you,
tor instance, that poor Seldon interested me ?"
" Ah, that is true."
" Well ? "
" It is your affair. Act as you please. I see that you have
a long arm and an open hand."
" Adieu ! Adieu ! "
.Vnd Aramis left, carrying with him the blessings of the
governor.
i
CHAPTER VII.
THE TWO FRIENDS.
.Vt the time M. de Baisemeaux was showing Aramis the
|iris(iners of the ISastillc, a carriage stopped before the door of
Midanie de Hellicre, and at that still early hour deposited on
till' balcony a young woman muffled in a silk hood. When
tlii'v announced Madame Vanel to Madame de Belliere, the
l;i;i.T was occupied, or, rather, was absorbed in realiug a letter
whicli she quickly hid. She had scarcely iiuished her morning
tdilct, her maids being still in the adjoining room.
At the name and at the step of Marguerite Vanel, Madame
ilo iieliieie ran to meet her. 8he thought she saw in the eyes
"t licr friend a look which was not one of health or of joy.
Marguerite kissed her, grasped her hands, and scarcely gave
lier lime to speak.
, -a ji ( ;^
ii
Are you,
" .My near," said she, " have ycm forgotten me?
the I, wholly given up to court pleasures ? "
" 1 liave not seen even the marriage fOtes."
■• What are you doing, then ? "
•• I am getting ready to go to Belliere."
-To Belliere :'■'
'• ^•es.•'
• Rustic, then. I Hrc to see you thus disposed. But you
ii't' |i;de.'"
■• No. 1 am wonderfully well."
G2
Tin-: vicoMTi: de uRAr-rJijiyNi:.
" So iniuli till' botter. I was uneasy. Do you know wliat
I have lifi'ii tiilil '.' '■
1
fniil(; siiv so iiiaiiv llmi;^s.
Ol
I, Imt tins IS luiusual
<' How well yiMi know liow t(i interest your audience, Mar-
guerite I "
" I was at'raiil nf vexiu'.,' you."
' ( >!i, never I ^'nii yomsi'll' liave adniireil )ny evenness of
di
S]i<isitlnll.
\\i
it is said that — ali I indeed, I can never tell you that.'
Lei us talk no niore al»out it
said .Madame d ■ lielliere.
who divined snme niisrhiet in tliis preamble, but who, never-
theless, was eunsiimi'd liv <'uriositv.
Well.
mv ili'ar maniuise, it has been said for s(uue time
that ynii mourn M. de Itelliere much less than formerly, poor
tdlow
It is an e\ il report, MarLjuerite ; I rei,'ret and shall always
rei,M'et mv liusliaml ; but it is two years since he died. I
am
onl\' t \MMil \ -ei.i;lit.
anil urn
■f for his liiss ouLrht not to control
every actuin and tliouiilit nf my life. Vou, Marguerite, a
niiidel wile, wiiuld nut I'i'lieve ne" were 1 to say so.''
ly uiit '.' \ou ha\' such a tender heart I "' replied Madame
•• \V1
and,
iltrlllUv.
'• Wm ten. Marguerite, and 1 have not seen that you let your-
self be overciime liy grief when your heart is woundetl."'
'I'liese words w<'re a direct allusion to Marguerite's rupture
with the superintendent. Tlu'y were also a liidden rej)roach,
but aimed directly at the ynung woman's heart.
As if sht> had waited only fur this signal to discharge her
shalt. Mar^Miei'ilf cried :
\'\
I'^lise. it is said v<iii are in h
uid she fixed her
eyes on Madame de liellirre, who lilushed involuntarily.
•• < )ne ui'Ncr hesitates about slandering women," replied the
inaripiise, alter a moinent's silenc(>.
nl, : 1
III I'nc slanders you,
i':ii>
What! fieople say I aui in love and yet they do not si
an-
(ler UK
" Intheiir.-t jilace, if it is true, there is lu) slander, but oidy an
evil report : in the second ]ilace. — for y lu did not let me finish,
— • tlie public does not say that you liave abandoned yourself to
this love. It paints you. on the cont''arv, as a virtuous, loving
woman, armed with claws and teeth, shutt
iiig your
rself
up in
THE TWO F/nhw
])S.
68
}(jiir own house as
nabie as that of I)i
of brass.''
in a fortress, and
mats althousli the t
in a fortress
<|\ver of Daiiae was made
as inipreg-
blill^" '"'' ""'' '''^'•^"^''••^'^'" «-i'l ^r-Jan.e de lielliere, trem-
" Vou have always flattered me Elise r,, .^ <-
said to be ineorrnptihh^ an.i un port uble V ' •"" '"''
wiietheryouareb4..rsla>ulered^' r!; '^^^ ^'^'^ "'" "."'^^'
al-.it wlule I am speaking to you :> ' '^'"'"'^ youdreanun,;
" Yes, you are scarlet and v '-fectly quiet "
-t to what you allude, you who a'l- o le\u-ned u .IvS- V'"'
by (•oMii)aring me to Danae " iuiuie.i m m^thok.-y,
ouu';f:>-"' '^^"^•^«"^«' '^-^hing, "you were trying to fiud
\ es, do vou not remember 'it- thc> r.,^,>,- . t i
tn-in, to solve aritlnneti,.a];.ol^ur Twh.^l"' '1 ''''''
•• IJut I caunot imagine wiiat you mean •'
_^ ^'.Nyt .ing >s simpler. You d.„a that I an. u. love, do you
"So I have been told."'
■■ » ''s. certainly, there is a name "
-::«':.Mi;;;;;^ti;v;;;;:t,>^':. »" ■ "i.! ...* .„i„b
^...^':::^*;;ri^^'z^;:,i;:t™n.H» .„
;; My Iny,.,.. ,1,,,,, _ ,„„ „„i. j.„„ „i,,. ,„,. _. ,.
•• V.'n ,vn 'T ;"' ■ ' "'" ■'"'"■ '■""'"' ■■""' S''-" y<«' no one."
»".\ uell; i)ut mv enemies — '•
•'I'".^"ii wisli me to tell vou '\- .ame " "'
•■ ^"uhaN ■nuuleme wuth..,' ho,,.-"for it."
64
Till-: VK'OMTE ni: hRAni-LoxsK.
:--&>.
m
" Yo\i shall hear it.
Do not be shocked, for he is a man
of power.'"
" (iO(k1.""
The snarqnisp
patient at the approach of__steel.
.: ij„ ;^ .> \-mv r\f\\ man. " conti
.Irove her sharp nails into her hands, like a
'< He is a very rich man," (■(
tinupil Marguei
ite, " the richest,
perhai
)S.
It i^
The uiaMiiiihe c
Icjsed her eyes for an
st-
nistant " It is the Duke of Bu.kin^d.an.," said Mar^'uente, l.urst
in., int.. laughter. Tlie pertidv ha.l been calculated with mcon-
Mv 1 skill The nan'ie winch fell m place of the name the
narquise expected had the same etfect on the poor woman as
oU badly^lKU■pened axes that I'^'f ^'•-^^Vi^'^'she r' cov'
MM. .le Cii.dais and de Thou on their scaffolds. She leeov-
ered herself, hnwever, and said :
.a was really right in caliinj^ you a w.tt^" woinan, f.M- j ou
are givin^.' m- nui.h pleasure. The joke ,s deliKhtful. I have
never seen the Duke of 15uckint,diaii."'
-Never " " said MarL;uerite, pausiui,' in her lau-,diter.
«i have not put my foot outside <.f my house since the duko
'''''"'oil'' -''resuuied Madame Vanel, stretcliinK out her mutinous
t„ot towards a paper which lay ..n the ..arpet »^ar the window ;
.. „„e n.av not be seen, but one can write. ' Ihe manpuse
,,.,.,_„,,l,:i;i„, tlu> palmer was the envelope of the letter she had
been n-adin,' wl>en her friend arrived. This envelope was
sealed with 'the arms ot the superintendent. .\s she ieaned
back on her sofa, Madame de I'.elli.Mv rolled the paper innle.
tlie thick fohls of her wide silk dress, and so concealed it.
.•Com,.." said sh-. -come. MarLTuerite, is u,_iu order to tell
me all this nonsense that you came so early '.' '
■■ Xo I rauie to see vou in the iirst place, and to recall o mind
our earlier habits, so' sw.'et and. ^'cntle, you know, when we
nsed to walk about at Vincenues and talk under an oak or in
some -rove, (..f those whom we loved and who loved us.
•■ Vou suL:i,a'st a walk? " . , „
•• 1 have mv carria-e and three b.ours at my disposal.
•• I am nut'.lre^s.'d. Mai-uerite, — and - if you wish to talk
without -oin- to the woo.ls of Vim^ennes, we rould hnd m the
garden some tine tree, shadv -roves, a bank covered with
dairies, and all tlie violets which we s.iiel! Irom here.
- My dear manpiise. 1 am sorry y<.u refuse me. I needed
to pour out my heart on yours."
THE TWO FtifKNDS.
H5
" I repeat attain, Marguerite, my heart is yours as luucli in
tills room, as luuch near here under the lime-tree in my garden
as yonder under the oak in the wood.''
'• It is not the same for me. In drawing near to Vinoennes,
marquise, my heart approaches the object toward.s which lor
several days it has been aiming."
The mar(|uise suddenly raised her head.
'• Vou are surprised, are you not, that I still think of Saint-
Maude ■.' •'
"Saint-Mande! " cried Madame de Belliere. And the
Lrlauces of the two women met like two fiery swords in the
lirst part of a combat.
'• Vou, so proud I"' said the marquise, with disdain.
•■ I, so proud I " replied Madame Vanel. " I am .so made —
1 do not forgive neglect, nor can i endure infidelity. When
I leave and any one cries, I am tempted still to love; but
wlieii one leaves me and laughs, I love madly."
Madame de Belliere gave an involuntary start.
•• Silt' is jealous," said Marguerit i to herself.
•• riien," <oiitinued ihe marqui.s", "vou are madly in love —
Willi the Duke of liuckinghain -- no, I am mistaken, with M.
FoiKpiet '.' '■
She felt the b'ow, and all her blood rushed to her h'.'art.
■■ .Vud you wished to go to Vinccniies— even to Saint-Mande ?"
•• 1 d(j not know what 1 wanted ; you woulil have advised
inc. perhaps."
" <»u what?"
•• ^ ou have often done so."
"•'crtaiuly it would not have been on this occasion ; for I
<\" not forgive as you dn, [ love less, perhaps; but when my
liiMrt has once been Iiuk, it is for always."
•• Hut M. Fompiet has not wounded you," said ^larguerite
\'aucl. with absolute simiilicity.
•• V(/u understand jierfectly what I mean. M. Fouquet has
111 it wiiuiuled me. He is known to me neither by f vor nor
i'v iiijuiy, but you have cause to complain of hini. \'ou are
my trii'iid. and I should not advise \o\\ as you would wish."
■■ All I y(ju prejudge."
•• llie .-iighs of which you spoke just now are more than
iiliili .itldilS."
■ • 'li. you overwiiclui me," said the young woman suddenly,
culicciiii^ all her strengtii like the wrestler making ready to
Vol. II —
Gb
THE VICOMTK l>i: HRAGELONNE.
St
sn-ik.> tho final Mow ; " von cotuit only my evil passions and my
wrakness.'s. As t.. n.v pun> and -onerons senUnuM.ts you do
n.,t sp.Mk of tlMMu. ir at this m.ni.rnt, I 1...1 myselt drawn
towanlsth,. sni...rn,.Mn!..n,.if I tako .v.n on. ;;'M;, towanls
hi,,,, winch IS ,unl,ahl... I adnnt. .t ,s he.aus. M l-onquets
fair tuurh.s in.' ^WyU: 1' is l.pcauso to my mind he is one
of ihL" uuliappi.'st iiifu in tl-.o world." , , ...
"AhV" said thi' mar.iuis.-, placin- on.- hand on h.T lieail,
'•there is sumethin;^' iu'W. then.'
■• Von do mit know V "' .
.. Iknnvv nnihin^."" s;iid Madame de IVlliere, with that in-
tnise a-ony w],i,-h susihm. Is tlu.i-ht and spee.di, whieh sus-
iicmls cviMi lite itself.
.. Mvd.'ar. in the first place, all th.' Km-s tav..r has^h.'en
witlidi'awn from M. __Fou,inet and -iven to .M. Colbert.'
- \'es, so the\- sav. " , , r 1) n
.. It is verv simi>le. ^in(■e tiie discnvery of the plot of J>elle-
Isle "
"■•'l vvas assuied that the discovery ol the fortifications had
turiM'd out to the honor of M. I'ompiet."
Mu-ueritel).-;iii tolaa-h in so cruel a manner lha,t .Ma.'.ame
,l,.V,eiH;.n' could at ti'-.t moment -ladiy have plun-ed a dai,'-er
in her hearl. „
•• Mv de;ir." said Mar-uerite, •• it is no hni-er a .luestioii ot
M. Fou.iuefs honor, hut of his safety. __ln thre.' days the rum
of the superilitelidenl will he coni|ilete."
.. (»ii :" said the manpiise, sinilin- in her turn. •• that is go-
in^r ,• little too la>t.""
■■ 1 .aid three dav^. invau>e I Hki' to deceive myself witli a
hope. V.ut the cal'astroiihe will not occur later than twenty-
four hoars hence.'
••Whvso?"
•• For' the simplest of reasons. M. Fompiet has no more
mone\'. ' • • -i-i *.
•• In iiiianrial matnu's, my dear Mar-uerite, one is without
luonev ti'-'i.iv who to-morrow can ohtain millions."
•• It mi-ht have happene.l that way i'.i iMimpiet's ease, then,
when he had two rich and (dever friends who amassed money
for him and made it out ..f everythin-: but those friends are
ilead." , „
•• Crown., d- not die. Mar^'UiM ite. they are iu.iil . . r;ouj,'lir lor,
bou'^ht. and found."
Til'-- TWO rR//:.\r>s.
67
•;\ou s.'o !l„„^rs ,„,s.'-c.)lonMl ; R,, ,„,M.l, Ml.. l,,.tter for voii
It ist.,ul,a.ltl,at yo.i aro not ti.e Kn-.Tia of M. Fou,,u..t;vo,i
mi-ht show lum lh,. source wluMU'e lu- rouM draw tlu- .Millions
lor which the kill- a.skod him ycstrnljiv."
•• Millions!" interj.osed the iiKmiuise in terror.
" luiiir — an even inunber."
Mnfanious!" niurnime.l Ma.lanie de Ikdline, tortnre.l l.v
tins cruel joy on the part of iho oth.T. - M. Fouquet has
1-iir nulhons .surely, I think/' she replied hravelv
•• It he has those for wliich tlu; Kin- asks him t(Mlav,-' said
Mar-ucrite .-he pnihahly will not have those which the Kin-
will ilemand in a month." °
••The King will ask him for more monev " "'
•• No <loul.t; and that is why I told y":.u that the ruin of
Ins lH„n- M. l.ououet is inevital.le. From pride he will
Iiinnsl, the money, and when he lias no more, he will fall"
;• "'-i^ ■;; true," .sai.l the manpiisc tremblii,-, - the idau is
1- •!_ lei me, does .M. Coll...,t hate .^[. Fouquet very much ^ ''
• 1 think he docs not love liim. 15,it .M. Colbert is a man of
nsoin-ce; !,.■ iniproves oi, aequaintanee ; he has tremendous
i'i"as, r.vat will-power, and taet ; lie will rise."
•• \\ ill he be superintendent '.'"
"It is probi-ble. That is why, my good manpiise, I was
"'"^•'■'1 m lavor ot this poor man who onee loved, even adored
■'"■.I hat IS why seeing him so wretc^hed, 1 forgave his in-
. -'7 ;"■ T,'"'^' ^ ^'"'''^ '•''''''" t" '^^''i^'^'c he rejients. That
N uiiy 1 shoud not have beer, averse to offering him some
-nsoiation and good advu.e. .fe would have understood my
-'•I' and w,)uld have been glad of it. It is sweet to be loved
.^-u see: men .-reatly appreciate love when tliev are not blinded
I'V power. *
The marquise, overeome, broken down by these cruel at-
tHks. calculated witn the exactitude an.l precision of a cannou-
-H.t did not know how to reply ; she could not .>veii think
11"> voice of hei pertidi<ms friend luid as.snmed the most
''-'■ K.tiate tone; she spoke like a woman, but hid ;i,e in-
"iK'f^ "t a jianther.
_,"WeIl:" said Madame de IJelliere. who hoped vaguely
" M:ii-guente had ceased to ov-rwheln. the vanquished
' "".^^ . ••well, why do you not go and find M. Fouquet'^"
• '"■;Hly, le.anpuse, you have made me reflect. No, it would
'" ""l»M.oming for me to take the first step. M. Fouquet loves
):!sm^'^w^- i^m
68
THE VKOMTK DE BHAGELoSSE.
mo. no (loiiht, but Iip is too i)i-oiiil. I cannot oxposo niys.-lf to
iiii atTront. Hesidt's, I liavo my Imshaml to maiias^'c. Von .say
nothing,' to mo. Woll, I sliall consult .M. Culhcrtun the snhject."
Shonise smilin^'ly. as if to tako leave. Tlie manini.se had
not the .stren,t,'th to" imitate her. .Marguerite took a few steps
in order to continue to enjoy the humiliatinj,' grief in which her
rival was jjhinged ; then sud(hMily :
'• Vou will not go with me to tiie door ? "' said she.
The mar(iuise rose, pale and cold, no longer troubling al)out
the enveli)i)e which at the lieginniug of the conversation had
greatly occupied her, and which her iirst stef) now brought to
Hght. Then she opened the door of her oratory, and without"
tirrning her head towards Marguerite Vanel she disappeared
within it. .Marguerite said (U- rather stammered three or four
w.u-ds which Madame de i'.ellit're did not even hear. But so
soun as the marquise had disappeared, her envious foe, who
could not resist the desire to make sure that her suspicions
were well founded, crept ahmg like a panther and picked up
the envelope.
" Ah," said she, gnashing her teeth, '• it was indeed a letter
from M. Fou(iuet that siie was reading wheii I arrived ! "'
.\nd then she in turn darted from the room. .Meantime, the
maniuise, having arrived heliiml the ramjiart of her door, real-
ized that she had reached the end (»f her strength. For an
instant she remained rigid, pale, and motionless; then like a
statue which some heavy wind shakes fnun its pedestal, she
tottered and fell lifeless to the carpet. The .sound of her
fall was heard as Marguerite's carriage rolled away from the
hotel.
• -i.
cH.vrTP:!! viir.
M.V1).\MK I)K liKLL.'feKF.'s SILVERWARE.
TiiF, blow had been much more ]iainfnl because it had been
unexpected. It took the maripii.se, therefore, some time to
recover, but on''c herself again she began to reflect upon the
events as they had been aimoniu'ed to her. She therefore
leturned, although she might have wrecked her life on the
way, to that train of ideas which her implacable friend
^
MAhAMI-: DE liELI.lklurs SILV KinVAHl.,
69
li.ul forced lu>r to foil
iiii'l
low.
rit'as<iii, ;hpii (lopji men
•'!■ ;i stMnbhiiic.. of j,„l,li,, interest — suH
iiiaiKiMivres. An odious delii^'lit
.sr.Iiictioii no lesj. wickod t|
aces veiled
I were Colbert's
to reach tl
itself
!ns end
;iicl
I w;is what Mar-iierite had used.
■» ■'] oniinj,' fall, constant efforts
liiin the crime
.. ....... ,.„., „„.u .>iar-iiente h.ad ii.sed.
1 he broken atoms of De.s.a.tes triumphed; to the nuin with-
'".t |Mty was uMted a won.an without a heart
i.e manimse saw with sorrow much n.ore than with indi-^-
Mt.oM ha. thek.n. was n.ixed up in a plot which betrayed
.he dup!,.., y ol Louis XIH., already a,dni, and the a i,S o
^::iei;':;hr' r; ":' '''\r '"' '■"" ^" ^--^ JumsdV w.^
1 n u( M L;i'l(L j>ut Soon the i;iiii- f <.f fl.; ,
1 11 ■. •'> pint or tins courawous wom.Tn
-- a 1 Us energy, and ceased to dwell on the diseoura^in"
pMuIatons of con.pass.on The marquise was not one ol
c.s,. who weep when ,t is necessary io act, and who "unu'e
.Mselves m bewadn.. a nusfortune which they are a lo
• '-•*'. I-or almost ten minutes she buried hef face i l.er
lands; then raising her head, with Hrm hand and w t a
^in;:;::'!:.:!^"'""'"""" ^'^ -'''' '- '-' ----- "-
iMi'-;:'f;;r ui;:;:';,^-^^^ ''' "-^ -^-^ ->-- to leave
•■ Are all my jewels and articles of value p.acked " "
•• \i's i^uuhune ; but we usually leave them in Paris. As a
> ' ' ■'' ; H>>'« «1 ;es not take her jewels into the country- "
l-verytiiing is in order, you say v "
'• In madame's closet."
"And the gold plate ?"
" In the chests."
'" -Viid the silver plate ?"
*' In tile gre.at oak chest.'"
The marquise was silent, then in a calm voice she .said :
ll,i\e my goldsmith sent for"
1 he wo.nen withdrew to carry out the order. The marquise
^ew^h.ld entered her own room and was lookinir at W
•h.Mu icord fJ ^r • ^"'*' J"'""^" ^'^^'^Pt t« choose from
'-1. 1 'o the';:;^'""^''', '". '^r ^'^'"'•- '^--^-.v ■'^he ad.
'"•- M/e of the rubies and the clearness of the diamonds ;
r
, 1 1 .,,,, 1, ., il.'t'cct • "illf i'uUlul the '4i«l(l too
f!::i:::ru;:.:::;;:'!w"'nv,r'n...i.u >.> > •"■-
'■'':T',';:l*';x,--s,'';,,,..--y..u.,H,i.«.i «,.„„.«„«
service, 1 lielieve '.' "'
.. Ves, M;ul;iiue la .M:ir<inise.
.. 1 ,ln not reuieinl-ei- the inuount <.t the bill. , ■ , ,. ,^
..,,,„. „,, „.„, MTViee, ,u;ul;une,nr ur that ^huh M^.le
,.,.H;..;Uave vuaunynnr,uarna,eV Ku,. I tunushe.l both.
- Weli. in ti.e fnst l-laee, Inr the I.eW one .
.. Ma.l- n.e, the eover^.the ;,.,blets. and the .l.shes with the,
....ver': the el.-.ne and the .ee-howls the ..eserve-dishes, an,
the unis. en>t n.adauie sixty _tlu.u>and livres.
>' Moil l>ii II '■ only that'.'
" Madame thduuh't niv hill very laru'*'-"'
.. Tn,e"t,ue: 1 reuM.uher, m fa-^t, that it was lar^e ; the
workuianshiii, \va> it not '.'
.. V..S, n'adanie. the en^-ravn..'. the ehasu...'; all mw
'^''^ I'lu^hnw nmeh does the worluuanship eonnt in the price?
l)(i nut hesitate to lell nie."
•• \ third of its value, madanie. but — , ,,
'•We have then tlu- other service, the old one, my
^'"' nill^niadauu.. there ,s less work on that than on the one we
,,,ve been talking' about. 1. is worth only tlnrty thousand
livres— iutrinsic value." , ,. . \t K.,,„.l,miv
" Seventy '. ^ nu.rn.ured the marquise. •' I'.ut M. Imu huix,
there stiirrcuains n.y luother-s service you know ; all hat
n, assive set, which on account of associations I dul not wish to
^'''.\T.^mada.ue, that would be a famous vesouree for those
who', like vour ladyship, nn,ht not W able to keep their pla^
In tn.se times, madanie. they di,l not work as hnely as they do
toVl' V. Thev worked in solid metal. Ih.t that service is no
lon-er used -."however, it still has w.u-ht. '
"That is all I want. Ib'W much does it wei(,'h .
a Fiftv thousand livres at least. I do not refer to the enor-
mous buttet vases, which alone weigh five thousand livres ; or
ten thonsaml for both." ,. Vmi
"One hundiv.l and thirty ! " murmured the marquise. ^ou
a,re sure of your figures, M. Faindieux ? '
\
>_
V a ' ■ -- -7""- t -' ' ^
-*°^
^fA^)A^n■: ui: hki.i.i Rue's silveiiwahk.
71
'• Suit, ni;i(l;iiii<'. I5iit it is not liard to ut-i^'li it."
" Tilt! ;iiiiiimit is ciitoi-od in my hooks."
"(»li, you are a sy.stt'iiiiitii; woman, Mailamt- la Maiquist!."
•• li<'t us now speak of something else," sail Mailaint! ile
I'lrllirii', o]it'nin;,' litT caskets.
■I rci(i;,'ni/(! these ei lerahls."' said the merchant; '• I was
tlie one who mounted them. They :ir<! the most heautifnl at
iiiiirt. No, I am wron^, the most heantil'ul are those of
Madame de Ciiatellon. 'I'hey came from .M. de (inise; but
yoiiis, madame, are second."
" 'I'hey are worth liow much ".'"
" Mounted?"
" No, suppo.se I want to s»dl them '.' "
'• I know very well wlio would buy them," said M. Faucheux.
'• That is just what I want to ask. They could he bought,
then ■.' "
•• .Ml your jewels could be bought, ma(him<> ; it is known tliat
you have tht; most beautifid ones in I'aris. Vou are not a
woman who changes. When you buy you buy the best; when
you own them you keep them."
" What could I get tor these emeralds ? "'
"One liumlred and thirty thousand livres."
The maripiise wrote on her tablets with a jiencil the figures
ipioted by the jeweller.
''This ruby necklace?" said she.
'• ( )f bahu^-rubies ? "
" Here they are."
" They are beautiful, superb. I did not know you had tliese
stones, madame."'
" (Jive me an estimate on them."
"Two hull Ired thousand livres. The centre one is worth a
luuidred thousand by itself."
" Ves, tliat is what I thought," said the marquise. <• The
diamonds I the diamonds! (Jli, I have many of them: rings,
ciiains. ear-rings, sprigs, aigrettes, clasps! \'alue them, M.
Kauclieux, value them."'
The jewcdler took his magnifying glass, and liis scales,
weighed and inspected them, and made his calculations in a
low tone :
•• These stones," said he, "cost your ladyship f(U'ty thousand
livres' income."
*• Vou vplue them at eight hundred thousand livres ?"
lb
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MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART
ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No 2
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Lj-it Ma.r, 'jtfeel
^==-^ !'°f*'f='«'- *<'• 'ork 14609 USA
■;=^-= ('16) 482 -0300-Phon,
(716) 482 - 0300 -Phone
M:6^ 2«9 - *:9fl9 r..
■■!sf«^*'
77//; vi(i>^rri: ni-: lutAciii.oxxE.
" Ahlinst."
"That is \vh:it I th(iu;,'lit,. IVat the settiiiLjs are sf'])arate."'
" As usual, iiiadaiuc, and were I called ou to sell nr to 1 'ly 1
should'; be satisfied for profit with the gold aloue of tin- set-
tiugs. I should still ujake a good twenty-five thousand
livies."'
" A pretty sum ! "'
" Yes, luadanie, very pretty ! "
Will yo\i accept the profits, on condition of turning the
jevels into nu)ney ".' "'
"But, niadainel" cried the jeweller, aghast, "you do not
intend to sell your diamonds '.' "
" Silence, M. Faucheux, do not trouble yourself about that ;
merely give me your answer. \'ou are an hoiu^st man, fur-
nisher of my house for thirty years. Vou knew my father
and my mother, who were served by your father aiul mother.
I speak to you as to a friend. Will you accept the gold
of the settings in return for a ready sum t(j be put into my
hands ? *'
" Eight hiuidred thousand livres ! but that is enormous !"
" I know it ■'
'' Impossible to find."'
"Oh, no."'
" But, madame, think of the effect made in public by the
report of the sale of your jewtls ! "
"No one nmst know of it. You can have imitation jewels
made for me exactly like the real ones. Do lujt answer. I
wish it to be so. Sell them separately ; sell only the stones."
" In that way it will be easy. ^^onsieur is looking for
some jewels — for some single stones for Madame's toilet.
There will be comjjetition. I can easily disj)ose of them to
Monsieur for six hundred thousand livres. I am sure that
yours are the most beautiful."'
" When can you do this ? "
" \Vithin three days."
" ^Vell, the rest you can dispose of to private people. For
the pres("nt, make me out a contract of sale, payment to be
made within four days."
"Madame, madame, reflect, I pray you: you will lose one
hundred thousaml livres if you hurry.""
" I will lose two hundred, if necessary. I want everything
done this evening. Do you accept ?'"
.UI/)IU/? DF. RELLlP.RF/S SI LVERWA Ri:. 73
'' I acc'('])t, iiiadamo. I will not hide tho fnct, howpvor, Miat
I siia,ll iiiakf five thousand pistoles by it."'
" So inucli the better ! How shall I have the money '' ''
•■ III ^^old, or in bills of the bank of Lyons, i)avable at M.
('(ilbert"s.'"
•• I accepf," said the marquise, ea^i,'erly ; "return liome and
biin;: the sum in notes, (juickly, du you understand?"
'• Ves, madame, but — "
" \ot a word, M. Fancheux. I!y the way, the silver jilate
uhich r am forgettin-r. i low much shall I liave for that?"
" Fifty thousand livres, madan. '."'
" That is a million," said the marquise in a low lone. '• ^fon-
sieur, you will take away both the gold and the silver jilate,
I can pretend a remodelling of patterns more to my ta.ste —
melt it, I say. and bring me back its value in gold at'once."
'• Very well, your ladyship."
'• Vou will place this gold in a cliest ; you will have one of
your clerks accompany it without my .servants seeing him.
This clerk must wait for me in a carriage."
" In Madame de Faucheux's ? " asked the jeweller.
" If you wish ; I will stop at your house for it."
" Ves, madame."
" Take three of my servants to carry the plate to your house."
" Yes, mailame."
The mar(piise rang.
;-^The small wagon," said she. at M. Faucheux's disposal."
The jeweller bowed and withdrew, giving orders for the
wagon to follow him closely and announcing that the marquise
was to have her ])late melted down, in order to have newer
patterns. Three hours later she herself went to M. Faucheux'.s
uid received from liira eight hundred thousand livres in notes
"II tiie l)ank of Lyon.s, two hundred and fifty thousand livres
m gold, lockeil in a cliest which was with difficulty carried by
ii clerk to Machime de Faucheux's carriage, — for Madame
I'auclieiix kept a carriage.
Daughter of a jtresident of accounts, she had brought thirty
t.Hiiis.iud crowns to her husband, who was svndic of' the gold-
siimlis. The thirty thousand crowns liad increased in twentv
yciii-s. until now the jeweller had become a millionaire, though
.1 uio,l,.st one. He had jmrchased an old carriage built 'in
'IS. ten years after the birth of the Xing. This carriage or
itlu.i' ti,;^. iw,,,.,„ 1 i„ .1 1 • .. . . ^ '.
1<
nuhcr tins house on wlieels, was the admiration of the entire
c
74
THE VICOMTE DE llRAf.' ELO^NE.
f'lartor: it was coverod with iillegorical paintings and cIoikIs
(lotted with i;ohl and silver stars.
It was tliis somewhat •grotesque equipage which the noble
lady entered, sitting opposite the (derk, who drew in his knees
for fear of touching the uianiuise's dress.
This same clerk told the coachman, who was proud of driv-
ing a marfpiise :
" The Saint- Maude road ! "
CHAl'TElt IX.
li
THE DOWKV.
The horses of M. Faucheux were honest Pereherons, with
thick knees and somewhat swollen legs. Like the carriage,
they dated from the first half of the century. They did
not travel, therefore, like the English horses of M. Foucpiet,
but took two hours to reach 8aint-x\Iande. One might have
said that they travelled majestically, but nuijesty precludes
haste.
The mar(iuise stopped before a well-known door, although
she had seen it but once, it may be remend)ered, under circum-
stances no less painful than those which brought her thither
this time. She drew ivom her jxjcket a key, with her small
white hand inserted it into the lock, pushed open the door,
which yielded without noise, and ordered the clerk to carry the
chest to the lirst Hoor. The weight of the chest, however, was
such that the clerk was forced to seek aid from the cop.chu.an.
The box was deijosited in a small cabinet, ante-room, or boudoir
adjoining the salon in which we once saw M. Foiupiet at the
feet of the marquise.
Madame de liellicre gave a louis to the coachman, a charm-
ing smile t(j the clerk, and dismissed them both. She closed
the door behind them and stood waiting alone and barricaded.
No servant appeared, but everything had been i)repared as if
some invisil)le genius had divined the needs ami the wishes
of the expected guest. The tire was laid, the candles were in
the candelabra, refivshments on the buffet, books on the table,
and fresh flowers in the Japanese vases. One would have
said that the house was euchauted.
I*':
THE DOWRY.
75
The marquise lifjhted tlie candles, inhaled the perfume of
the flowers, seated lierself and soon fell into deep thought.
Kut her musing, although melancholy, was tinged with a cer-
tain sweetness. She saw a treasure spread out before her in
the room, a million which sue had wrested from her fortune as
a harvester }>lucks a cornflower from her crown. She was
dreaming the sweetest of dreams. She was thinking especially
how she could leave all this money for M. Fouquet without his
discovering the source of the gift. This idea was the first
naturally to present itself to her mind. Uut although on re-
flection the matter seemed difficult to her she did not despair
of success. She would ring to summon M. Fou(piet and escape
happier than if instead of having given a million she herself
had found one. But since she had conu', since she had seen
this boudoir so coquettish in appearance that one would have
said tluit a maid-servant had just removed from it the least
partude of dust, since she had seen the salon in such excellent
order that it might almost be said that she had just driven
away the fairies that dwelt there, she asked herself if the
glance of those whom she had displaced, whether genii,
tallies, elves, or human creatrres, had not recognized her.
In that case Fouipiet would know all; what he did not know
he would guess ; he would refuse to accept as a gift what
perhaps he might have taken as a loan, in which case the
enterprise would fail in its object as well as in the desired
result.
It was necessary, therefore, in order to succeed, that serious
^teps should be taken. It was necessary that the .superintend-
ent should realize all the gravity of his position in order to
yield to the caprice of a woman. In order to persuade him,
;ill the charm of an eloquent friendship was necessary; and if
this were not enough, all the influence oi an ardent pa.ssion
winch HI Its absolute desire to convince would be ttirned aside
liy nothing.
Was not the superintendent iiuleed known for a man of
'lelieacy and dignity ? Would he allow himself to despoil a
woman '.' No, he would struggle ; but if any voice in the world
eould overcome his resistance it would be the voice of the
woman he loved.
At this ])oint another doubt and a cruel one passe<l through
ilie mind of Madame de Helliere with the pain and sharp sting
a dagger-thrust.
Did he love her ? Would that light
7fi
77//; VK'OMTE /)/•: liliAdELOXXE.
li
mind, tluit fickle heart, pause for a moment even to \rivip \\\
on
ail aii^f
lite
Was it not with Foiuiuet, in spite of all liis ;,'emus, m sp
of his niiri^'litiiess, as with those e.oiKiuemrs who weep on the
battlefield when thev have gained a victory V
t that I need ciili''hteniiieiit, it is on
'• Well, it is on this poin
this point tliat I must decide,"" said the niarfiuise
W
tnows if this heart so coveted is not an ordinary heart full of
■tal '.' Who knows if this mind when the touchstone is
baser nu
applied will not pr
)ve to be of a mean am
I triviaJ nature
Comi
come
slie cne
il, '• tliis is too much doubt, too much
hesitation; the [iroof ! the jiroof
She looked at the (dock.
It is seven o"(
lock. lit must have conn
It is tlie hour
for si.L,Miiii;.,' liis papers.
Ami ''isim,' with feverish impatience slu
mirror,
walked tmvards the
into whi(di she smileil With the resolute smile of devo
tion : .she touchi'd the sj
iriiu
uid dre-v out the handle of the
bell. Then as if exhausted Ijeforehaud by tin; strugi,de in
which she was about to engage, she threw herself on her knees,
overcome, before a large armchair, burying her face in her
trembling hamis. Ten minutes later she heard the handle of
the door'^turn. The door opened as if on invisible hinges.
Fou(iuet appeared. He was pale, and bent under the weight
of bitter thought. He did not iiasten, he entered, that was
all. , . .
His preoccupation must have been very great to make this
man of pleasure, for whom, indeed, pleasure was e\erything,
respond so listlessly to such a summons.
In short, the night teeming with melancholy dreams had
sharpene<l his features, usually so noble in tiieir expression of
inditfereni'e, and had traced dark circles beneath his eyes. He
was still handsome, still noble, and the melancholy expression
of his mouth, an exiuession so rare with him, gave to his
features a new character which rejuvenated him.
Dressed in black, the lace rutfies over his chest much <lis-
ordered by his restless hand, the superintendent stoppeil with
dreamy eyes on the threshold of the room iulo which he had
so often come to -eek expected hajjpiness.
This gloomy gentleness, this smiling sadness of expression
which replaced his former excessive joy, produced an indescrib-
able effect on Madame de Belliere, who gazed at him from afar.
THE DOWRY.
77
A w(im;in's oyo ran rciid all i)oril and sufforinp on the face
(if tlii> man slie loves. It niij,'ht he said tliat on account of
their weakness (lod has given to women more than to other
creatures. They can liide their own feelings from man. but
luau cannot hide liis from tliem.
The marquise divined at a glance all the nnhappinessof the
superintendent. She divined a night {)assed without sleep, a
ilay spent in deception. From that moment she was strong ;
she felt that she loved Foutpiet, ))eyond everything else. Rising,
she approached him and said:
•' Vou wrote to me this morning that you were beginning to
forget me, and that f, whom you had not seen, had no (h)ubt
(■•■ased to think of you. I come to undeceive you, monsieur,
•ind so much the more completely because I read one thing in
your eyes."
•' What is that, madame ? " said Fouquet, surprised.
" That you have never loved me so much as at this moment;
in the saiue way you must read from the step I am now taking
that I have not forgotten you."
'• Oh, marquise," said Fouquet, whose noble features were for
a moment lighted by a flash of joy, '• you are an angel, and men
liavc no right to doubt you ; they have only to humble them-
selves and to ask for forgiveness.''
•• In that case, forgiveness is granted you."
Fouquet endeavored to throw himself on his knees.
'•Xo," said she, "sit here beside me. Ah I that is an evil
thought which has just passed through your mind."
'• How can you tell that, madame ? "'
" liy the smile which has just spoiled your whole face.
<'ome. of what are you thinking? Be frank and tell me.
■{"here should he no -secrets between friends."
•• Well, madame, tell me, then, why this harshness for the
past three (<v four months ? "
■• Harshness ? "
" Ves. Did you not forbid mc to visit you ? "
"Alas! my friend," said Madame de Belliere, with a deep
sigh. '• because your visits to me have caused you great trouble ;
licrause my house is watched; because the same eyes that had
-'■I'M you might see you again; because I think it less danger-
ous fur you that I should come here rather than that you
hould come to me ; lastly, because I tliink you are unhappy
enough already without my wishing to make you still more so."
;t; ■■
ff*5.
m^
78
THE VICOMTE DE BRAGELONNK.
m
i s
' ft
' II
F.mquet started. The wor.ls recallo.l all the cares of the
office of supermtendent to hi.u who tor several n.o.nents had
thouKht (.1 nothin- save the hopes of the lover.
" I miliappv ? •■ said he. tryiii- to siaile. « Really, mar-
nuisP vou Nv fl make me tliiuk so by your own sadness. Are
r,se'll3auliful eyes raised to n.e only to pity n.e 7 I was ex-
pecting an(.ther look from them.' , i :,. ;i,„ „,irrnr
*' I 2m not the one who is sad, monsieur ; look m ihe mirror
"^mI^;;;!;! l am somewhat pale, it is true, but it is from
overwork. Yesterday the King asked nie lor some moiiev.
" Yes, four millions. I know about it. '
. You'know about it V " cried Fouquet, surprised. " How can
vou know about it '.' It was only while playm,^ cards after e
queens had g..ne, and in the presence ot one person, that the
^'" Ymi see that J kn.nv ; that suffices, does_^it not ? Well,
CO on. niv friend : the King has demanded — '
^ u You^uulerstan.l, marquise, that it was necessary to pro-
cure it, then to have it counted and registere.l ; all of which
Ukes time. Since the death of M. de Ma.arin there liave been
some fati-ue an.l embarrassment in matters of hnance. My
administration is over-burdened; that is why I stayed awake
^'''" So '"'that you have the amount?" asked the marquise,
''"MTwould be a delightful event, marquise," replied Fouquet,
gayly,'-if a superintendent of finances did not have a paltry
four'millions in his ct)tTers."' .,
" Yes, 1 believe vou either have or will have^them.
" What ilo vou inean bv I shall have them ? " ^^
» It is not very long since you were aske.l for two millions.
" It seems to me, on the contrary, that it was a century, mar_
quise ; but do not let us talk any more of money matters, it
you please." r • i »
" Un the contrary, let us talk of them, my friend.
"Oh I"
" Listen to me. for I have come only for that."
" What do you mean ? "' asko.l the superintendent, whose
eves expressed anxious curiosity. . , , „„f
' " Moiisieur, is the office of superintendent a permanent
position '.'' "
THE DOWRY.
79
" Marquise ! "
" Voii st'e th.it I answer you, and frankly too."
" Marquiso, you surprise lue ; you speak, to me as if we were
partners I "
" It is very siiiii)ie ; I want to place some money with you,
and naturally I am anxious to know if your position is" as-
sured."
" Iteally, marquise, I am perplexed, and do not see at what
you are aiming."'
" Seriously, my dear M. Fouquet, I have some funds which
embarrass me. I am weary of buying real estate, and ani
anxious to have some friend turn them to account."
•' Hut ihere is no haste about it, I suppose .' " said Fouquet,
•■On the contrary, there is great haste."
" Well, we will speak of it later."
" No, not later, for my money is there."
The marquise showed the ;:offer to the superintendent, and
opening it, pointed to the bundles of notes and the pile of
gold.
Fouquet, who had risen at the same time as Madame de
Helliere, stood for a moment thinking. Then suddenly, start-
ing back, he sank into a chair, and hid his face in his hands.
" Uh, marquise ! marquise!" he murmured.
" Well ? "
" What opinion have you of me that you make me such an
(jifer ? "
" Of you ? "
'^ Yes'."
" Rut what do you yourself think about it ? Come ! " she
rejilii'd.
" This money you bring me ; you bring it because you know
I am ondjarrassed. Oh, do not deny it, for I am s\ire of it.
I'o I not know your heart '.' "
•• Well, if you know my heart, you must see that it is my
ii"art I am offering you."
" I guessed it, then ! " cr^ed Fouquet. " Oh, madarae, truly
1 never gave you the right to insult me in this way."
" Insult you ! " said she, growing pale. " What strange
'lehcacy ! You have told me you love me. You asked me in
the name of this love for my reputation, my honor ; but when
1 otter you my money you refuse I "
•• .Marquise, you were free to keep what you call ycjur repu^
'•. J
80
TltK VirOMTE DK PRAGKLnXNE.
tation aiul vmir h-.iu.r. L.>avp i.>o the liberty of prosm-inR
mine. I-.'t'i.u> rniu invs.-lf, M in., fall .umUt th.- Imni.-n ..f
the h.aiv,! winch surn.muls iiu-, h.'iioath tl..- 1<kuI ni hluiMlfTS
I have .•nnunitt.Ml. l,.Mu-atl. tlu- w.'i-ht ut my own nMuors.- ; but
in l.eav.-n's name, marquiso, do nut .•...ui^letcly c-nisli me
beneath this last blow." ,_
.' .lust now you la.k.Ml spirit, M. Fouriuet, sai.l she.
" rossil)ly, niadame."
" .\ml n()w vou lack tVclin;.;." . , , , • , .
Fou.iuct pressed his clinched hand to his throbbing breast.
-Annihilate me, madamc," said In-; " i have nothing tu
^' .'"l Offered y(m mv friendshi]). M. Fonquet."
<■ Yes, madaiiie; i.ut you limited ytmrselt to that.''
" Is what I have done a mark of friendship '.' "
'■ Ves."
" And you refuse this proot of my friendship?"
" I refuse it."
" Look at me, M. Fouquet."
Thp eyes of the nianpiise shone.
" I otfer you my love."
'• Oh, madaiae." saitl Fouquet.
" I have loved you for a Ion;,' time ; women, like men, have
false uiodesty. For long I have loved you, but 1 was unwilling
to tell vou of it.'"
" Oh ' ■' said Foviquet, elaspin<,' his hand.s.
'< Yes, it is true, ^'ou bei,';.,'ed me for this love on your
knees; I refused you; I was blind as you were just now. I
offer vou my love, now.'"
" Yes, your love, but only your love."
"My love, my self, my life, everything."'
"Oh, my TTod ! "' eviecl F'ouqnet, dazed.
" Do vou want my love '.' "'
"Oh, "but you crush nie beneath the weight of my happi-
ness ' "
" Will you be happy ? tell me, tell me ; I am yours, wholly
yours.""
" It is suprenu-st happiness ! "'
"Take me, then. Hut if for you I saenfiee a prejudice,
sacrifice for me a scruple.""
'■ Madame, niadame, do not tenqjt me !
" Mv friend, uiv friend, ilo not refuse me ! "
(;(>/)\s (iKdt \i>.
81
=< All, be (MH't'iil of what ymi arf propoainp I '"
" FoiKiuet, one word, ' No,' ami I o)icn Miis door.''
She [loiuted to tlie one which led to the street.
"And you will not see me a;,Min. Another word, 'Yes,'
and I will CoUow you where you will, witii closed eyes, with-
out (leience. without refusal, witliout remiu-.se."
•• I^:iise : I^:iise : Hut thi.s cotfer ! "
"It is my dowry."
" It i.s my ruin ! " cried Fomiuet, turnin- over tlie i,'old and
the papers ; '-there is a million here."
" Yes, my jewels, which will be of no turther use tt) me if
you do not love me; which will be of no further u.se to me if
you do love me as I love you I "'
"Oil, it is too much I too much I " cried Fcuupiet ; " I yield, I
yield, even were it only to consecrate such devotion, laccejit
the dowry."
" And here is the woman ! "' said the mart.uise, throwing her-
self into his arms.
CHAPTER X.
god's CiKOfVD.
Meaxwiiile Buckingham and l)e Wardes travelled like
i,'(iod companions iu perfect harmony from Paris to Calais.
P.nckinghani had hastened to make his adieux, so that the
-rcater part of them were made hurriedly. His visits to Mon-
sieur and Madame, to the young Queen and the queen dowager
liad been made collectively — a precaution of the ,]ueen mother
u liich saved him the grief of speaking again in jirivate with
Monsieur, and also the danger of again seeing Madame. P.uck-
iiiu'ham embraced De Guiehe and llaoul. He assured the
lormerof his entire regard; the latter of lasting iriendship
which would overcome every obstacle and be shaken neither
iiy time nor distance.
The vans had already gone ahead ; he himself left during
the evening in a carriage with his entire suite.
De Wardes, angry at being, so to speak, led awav abruptly
by this Englishman, had racked his subtle brains" for every
means of escape from his fetters ; but no one had given him
Vol. II. — e
-4«i
77//; vfcoMTi: i)i: nn\(ii:L<^sSE.
. •" - 1
help, ana !..' was fn.r.Ml to b.^r th.- l.unl.M, ot lus ha.l tom,>or
au.l initati.-M. Tims.- tu whom he iiu-l.t l.av.- .nntnU'd ha.l i.i
,h,Mr .•l.aia.-UT ut wits. rallitMl liin. .... the s..i..Mi..nty ..t tl..'
''' mh.'rs, .,....■.• stui.i.l. b.it ...o.-.' s.M.sil.l.". ha.l •"^'■>ti""7' '"
huu th.. ..nl.'.s .4- tl... Kniu'whi.'h t...lni.l.- .luHl..,:.-. oth.-.s
aMUi. a.i.l th.'V W...V the -.vat.'v ..u.nl..'.-. wl... tnm, < h.;.st.a..
chantv .,.• ..atu.uiii lui.l.' n.i'.'ht have -ivi. m.i a.a. .l>.l n.-t
care to n... tho .isk of .lis-raco, ami w..ul.l at b.'st havt.
intoi-.ae.l thr ...u.ist.TS .,t a .IqKirtuiv wliu'li im-ht .l.-,'.*...M'ate
into a small niass;icrt'. i n„
Th.' ivsnlt was that, ovrythmt,' hen.- .•..nsnh'iv. , De
Wiinl.'s park.'.l his ,,...'tinant-an, t..ok two lm.-s.;s. a.i.l. ..1-
h,w.".l l.y a si.i-le s.Tv.i.it. set. o..t towar.ls lh.> l.a.Tio.- whither
Huck.ntihai.i's .■arriai,'." ha.l ^'.mc.
The .1.';.' nvfiv.'.l his a.lv.n-sary as h.- wonhl hav.' .lo.u' his
in..st i..tin.at.- a..i..ai..tam.'. m.^v.-.l asi,l« that h.- •"•'.'ht .«
seated, oftV.ed hi... .vfivshnionts. an.l sprea.l ov.' hi.n the
sahle cloak whicii ha.l been thrown .m th.- t.-.ait se;it. \N hen
th.'V be-aii t.. talk tliev spoke of the eonit without menti..niug
Mulame- of M.n.sieur, with.Mit referrin- t.. his hous.'h.-l.l ; ot
the Kin.% with.Hit allmli.i- t.. his sister-in-law; ot the .pieen
mother without a w.u.l ..f her .laughter-in-law; ..1 th.- Kin- ot
En.'lan.l with...it sp.'akin- ..f his sister ; ..t the state ol e.a'h
„t Ui.- trav..ller.V heaits without pr.Hiounein- any name ttiat
mi-ht be ,lan-er.>us. So the journ.-y, whi.'h was ma<h' by short
sta-os, was .leli-litful ; an.l Hu.-kin-ham, .-.■ally a !• ren.-hman
from wit an.l e.lucation. was .■ncluuited at havin- .'hosen his
partner s.> well. , ,. ■ i c
Delici.His meals of whieh th.-y me.vly taste.l ; trials ot
horses in the beautiful mead..ws that lay ah.n- the n.a.l ;
rabbit hunts, f.,r Bu.ku.-liam ha.l his yreyhouu.ls with him,
-- thus was the tin..' sp.u.t. The .hike somewhat resembled the
beautiful river Seine whieh a th.msan.l times folds tranee^ in
its lovin- embraces, before .leci.lin- t.) reach the ocean, lint
on leavin- France it was especially the new inhabitant ot
France h.' had br.)UL;ht to I'ans wh.un Huckini,diam re-retted.
His everv tliou-ht, an.l c,.iise.pmntly his re-r.'t, was o her. bo
when at ■times.' in spite of his command over hi.i'self, he was
L, St in th..u-ht. De Wardes left him alone.
This d.'li.a.'v would surelv have touche.l Hu.^kintrham, and
changed Ins f.-eluii;s towar.ls De Wardes, if the latter, though
aof) s oiioixi).
83
[jn^sfTviiij^ siliMict'. liud horiH' a ^,'l;inci' ]■
.SiMlIt' U'SS fills*'.
iiialiiMniis a
n.l
cs arc iiiii'lian.,'iii;,' ; iKitlinii; alters liicin ;
but I
KMifath the ashos they
liistiiicti\t' (li>>lik
a lew ashes soiiietiine.s euver then
Ihum iixne lurioiisly.
Haviiit,' exhausted every (iistiaetiou the mute affuideil. they
arrived, as we have said, at Calais. It was towards the eud of
the sixtii day.
On tlie ])revious eveniiif^ tlic servants of the duke had
^,'niie on in advance and had cha'tert'il a boat. This boat was
intcnch'd to join the little yacht which coasted alnui; the ed^'e
of the water in sight, or bore broadside on, whenever it felt
its white wiiit,'s wearied, witliiii two or tliree cannon-shots of
the jetty.
This boat was to take on l)oard all the duke's e(iuipa,i^es.
The horses had been end)arke(I ; they had been hoisted from
the boat iqioii the deck in baskets made e.xpressly for that pur-
jMise, and wadded in sueli a way that their liiplis, even in the
iiiust, violent fits of terror or impatience, did not fail to liave
the soft support of the vails, and their coats were not even
roiii^'liened. Eij^ht of these baskets placed side by side tilled
the hold. It is known that in short voyaf,'es fni^ditened horses
d(j not eat, but shiver before the best of food which would be
ijieatly desired by them on land.
l!y iief,'rees tlie entire equipat^'e of tlie duke was placed on
board the ya.'ht ; his servants then informed him that every-
ihiiiL,' was in readiness, and that they were waiting,' only for
iiini to embark at his i)leasure with tlie French gentleman,
for no one would have su|)posed that the French gentleman
could have anything to settle with the duke beyond an account
>'f friendship.
Huckiugham sent word to the captain of the yaclit to hold
liimself in readiness, but said that as the sea was calm, and as
the day promised a beautiful sunset, lie did not intend to go
'11 board before night, and would take advantage of the eve-
iiiiig to walk on the shore. He added, furthermore, that find-
ing himself in excellent company he had not the least desire
to hasten his dejiarture. As he said this, he j)ointed out to
those about him the magnificent crimson sky along the horizon,
ilie amphitheatre of fleecy clouds which ascended from the
-Mil's disk to the zenith, a.ssiiming the form of a (diain of
iiiijuutains with summits Leaped one upon the other. The
84
THE VICOMTE DK BU MlKI.nXXF..
m
wlinleainphithputvewnr. tiuijed a1 its b.aso with a kind of bloody
foam fadiu" awav into opal and pearly tints as the pye glanced
upwards to the suinniit. The sea was -il.hnl with the same
rertection. and upon the erestof every blue wave danced a point
of li'dit like a rnbv exposed to the light of a lain]).
The mild evenii'ig. the sea-breezes, dear to dreamy minds, a
wind from the east, heavy and blowing in .lelightful gusts : in
the distance the yacht outlined in black, with its rigguig brought
out against the purple backgromid of the sky, and here and
there ale- g tlie horizon sails bent against the azure like the
wiii-s of a plunging sea-gull, — the whole scene, indeed, well
merTted admiration."" A crowd of curious ones f.)ll(nved the gil-
ded attendant.-,, amongst whom they mistook the steward and
the secretarv for the master and his friend.
As for Huckiugham, dressed in a simple gray satin vest and
a doublet of vioh't-colored velvet, his hat over his eyes, with-
out orders or embroidery, he was noticed no more than De
Wardes. dressed in black like an attorney.
The duke's attendants had received (uders tu nave a bark
ready at the head of the jetty and to watch the embarking oi
their master, without going to him unless he or his triend
summoned them. '• Whatever may happ-n," he ha.l added
dwelling on the words in a way they could not fail to under-
stand.
After walking awhile on the shore :
"1 think, monsieur,"' sai<! I'.uckiugham to I)e^^ardes, "I
tMnk we must now make our adieux. The sea is rising, you
perceive , in ten minutes it will have soaked the sands to such
a degree that we shall be ui.able to keep our footing."
•• .My lord, 1 am at your ordr-s, but — "
'• Hut ^ye are still on the King's soil, are we not ? "'
■' Without a doubt." , ■ , r • i
'« Well, come, there is ycmder, as you see, a kind of island,
surrounded bv a great circular pool ; the pool is increasing
anil th(> island is disappearing every minute. This island
belongs to God, for it lies between two seas, and the king
does "lot have it on his charts. Do you see it?" _^
" Ves. we cannot reach it even now without wetting i.ur feet.
'•Tnie, but notice that it forms (luite a high hill, and that the
sea MM s on each side, just sparing its summit. The result is
that we are wonderfully place 1 on this Utile theatre. What
do you think of it ? ''
GOD\S GROUND.
85
" I shall be happy whenever my swor.l .nav have the honor
of meeting yours, my lord."' ^ '^'^^ '^""°'
'' ^V,^^',^"'"*"' *''^"- it <listrosses me to have vou wet vour
feet, M. (le Wardes ; but it is necessarv I tliink n f
should be able to say to the Kin' -shl' { , "^' /^ ' I?'""
your Majesty's ternary.' The t:...^;^ ^'IJI^^^Z
>l.at subtle, but since Port- Royal you swim in sub S's h
' - not o us complain of this, for it gives you a chance to be
a.'hghtfully witty, a characteristic which belongs v to vou
30U are willing we will hasten, M. de Warde.^ fo le 4 s
iismg and the night coming on."
•• If I did not walk faster, my lord, it was in order not to
go aheau of your grace. Are you on dry land, monsieur -
i ts, just at present. Look yonder. My foolisli attend
ju.ts are atraid we shall be drowned and have u t Lw he
boat uito a cruiser. See iiow they dance on tli j oi f «
. es; It IS curious, but that makes me seasick. N\-o . y u
]iermit me to turn my b.ack to it ? " ^
'• Vou will notice" that in turning your back you will have
th<! sun in your face, my lord" '
Peu-ed' ' Do no7.r''n' "' ""'i^"' '^"'^ ^^'" ^°°" have disap
peaicd. Do not trouble yourself about that "
'' f kno7thar\ri "w ^«l-^^^»"t of consideration foryou."
knou that, yi. de Wardes, and I appreciate your remark
Miall we take oft our doublets ? " ^ remaik.
'• It is for you to decide, my lord."
'• It is more comfortable."
" in that case I am quite ready "
'-Tell ine, M. de Wardes. without hesitation, if you feel un
. 'u orta,]e on t)i.. wet sand, or if you still think yoursel So
>l..e .o^L.^ueh territory. We could fight in England Ir^n
■■ We siiall do very well here, my lord, only I have the honor
Huck.ugham made a sign of assent, removed his doublet and
I--V .t on the sand. De Wardes did likewise. Ih bodie
> u hite as two phantoms to those who were watching oTn
86 Till-: viroMTE dk bra(;i:loxxe.
u I i.ave sunk up to mv ankles," sai.l Buckingham, '| without
countin- the fact that the water is still Kannu- on us.
Mt has reached n,e already. As soon as you wish, duke.
Dc Wurdes drew his sword ; the .lake did likewise.
<. M ,le Wanles," said Huckini,diani, "one hnal wonl, it
vou'idease I aui iii;htin- you because I do not like you,
, ' x,i.e vou have wounded n>y heart by ridiculing a certain
■ts u,n I have, whi.-h 1 a.^knowledge at this numient, an.
r li.d. 1 should be very glad to die. Vou are a wu.ked
an M .le War.les, an,' i will do n.y l)est to kill you, for I feel
tS'i vmi do not die from this bh.w you will m the fu ure do
nuiih harm to my friends. That is all 1 have to say to yc,u,
M. de Wardes,-' and I'.uckingham saluted.
« And 1, mv lord, have this to say to you m reply : I haye
not hated you' hithert,., but now that you have thus chanu^ter-
"zed me I do hate you, and I will do all I can to kill you.
Anil De Wardes saluted r.uckingham.
U the same mouent their weapons crossed as two flashes of
h.htning meet in the night. The swords sought for each other ;
each uivined where the other was and they met
lith combatants were skilful swurdsn.en ; the hrst passes
^^^M S SCtpidly. It was so dark that they were
-^S^T'^!^'^'^^ steel arrestee He had
touched Buckingham-s shoulder. The duke's sword sank with
his arm.
<' Oh ' ■' cried he . . , ^^ ■,»• i
« You are touched, are you not, my lord ? " said De A\ ardes,
drawing back two steps. _^
" Yes, monsieur, but only slightly. ^^
" And vet you I'case.l to defend yourself.
.< It was the first effect of the cold steel, but T have recov-
ered. Let us begin again, if you please monsieur.
Vnd disengaging his sword with a sinister .dashing ot the
blade, the duke woun.led the mar.pus m the breast.
<' You are hit also," said he.
" No," said De Wardes, stan.ling firm. ,.,,,, ■, „
u l>ar.l.)n me, but seeing your shirt covered with blood —
said I'.u.^kingham. _ ,, i i. ,.,,„(»
"Well" sai.l De Wardes, furi.ms. "well, have at yni
And making a plunge he pierced Ihickiugham's arm. Ihe
-v.;l
BOAT AHOY '
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(tOD'S GROUND.
87
sword passod liotweoii tlie two bones. Buckingham felt tlie
member paralyzed, stretched out his left arm, seized tlie sword
about to fall from his inert grasp, and bef(>re J)e Wardes could
put himself on guard ran liim through the breast. De Wardes
swayed, his knees bent, and leaving his sword still fixed in the
duke's arm, he fell into the water, which was reddened more
than it had been from the reflection of the clouds.
De Wardes was not dead. He felt the frightful peril by
which he was threatened. The sea was rising.
The duke, too, felt the danger. AVitli an effort and a cry of
l)ain he snatched the sword from his arm, then turning co
De Wardes said :
'' Are you dead, marquis ? "'
"No," replied De Wardes, in a voice choked by the blood
which rose from his lungs to his throat, " but not far from it."
" Well, what is to be done ■' ("ome. Can you walk '.' "
liuckingham raised him on his knee.
"Impossible,"' said De Wardes, falling back. "Call your
servants or I shall drown."
" Hello ! hello ! " cried Buckingliam. " Boat ahoy ! Quick !
(juick ! ■'
The bark was rowed swiftly towards them.
But the sea mude swifter j)rogress.
Buckingham saw that De Wardes was again about to be
covered by a wave. He jiassed his left arm, which was free
and unwounded, around liim and raised him.
The wave ascended to his waist, but did not move him.
The duke began at once to walk toward the land.
But scarcely had he taken ten steps before a second wave,
rising higher, more threatening and juore furious than the iirst.
stru(;k him in the breast, knocked liim over, and submergea
him. Then it receded, leaving the duke and De Wardes lying
on the sand.
De Wardes had fainted.
At this moment four of the duke's sailors, who understood
the danger, sprang into tiie water and in a second were close to
the duke. Their terror was great when they saw their master
covered with blood, since the water with which it was im-
pregnated flowed over his knees and feet. They attempted to
carry him.
" No, no ! " cried the duke. '< To land ! to land ! The
marquis I "
'^.
tiiffi
88
rirr.
vicoMTi-: hi: i:i!A(n:iJ>ssi:.
" Death t.) tho Fionchina.i 1 '" crie.l llie En«lislniu'n. ^^'^^
.' Miserable wi-etcl.es \ " e.ie.l the duke, raising hiniseli with
a gesture Nvhiel. sprinklea thei.i with I.I.mmI, "..bey M .le
Wardes t- sluao \ M. d.. Wardes safety before anytluu- else,
or I will have V'lu haiii^'ed : '■
Meanwhile the bark had approached. 1 he secretary and the
steward jun.pe,l into the sea and drew near to the marquis.
He no longer .showed any signs of lite. __
.' 1 conn.iit this man to you on your lives, said the duke.
» To shore ! ^\. dc Wardes to shore ! "'
They raised him in their anus and carried him to tti.; dry
saud which the tide never reached. , , ,, , „ ^
Some idlers and live or six fishermen had gathered on the
shore. .Irawn thither by tlie strange sight of two men hghtmg
with the water up to their knees.
The fishermen, seeing a group of hien ai.proachmg carr\ iiig
a wounded man, entered the water up to their waists I lie
Kn'rlishiiH-n handed the woimded man to them just as lie was
be.diuung to open his eves. The salt water and t le hne sand
had gotten into his wounds, which were causing him intense
siiffcrui""
The duke's secretary drew from his pocket a heavy purse,
and handed it to the one who seemed of most importance among
*'- From my master, the Duke of Buckingham, in onler that
every P-^ssible care may be taken of the Marquis de \yardes
And followed by his men. he returned to the boat which
Buckingham had reached with great diificulty, but only after
he had seen De Wardes out of danger.
The tide was already high; embroidered coats and silken
belts were lost. Many hats had been carried away by the
waves. As to the clothes of the duke and De ^\ ardes, the tide
had carried them to the shore. ^^ ,• • n .f
They wrapped De Wardes in the duke s cuat, believing that
lu was his own, and carried him in their arms towards the eity.
thri:ef:ld love. 89
CHAPTER XT.
THKKKF(ILI) LOVK.
Aftfij the (loparturo of Biickiii,<;h;un, Dp Guicbe ima^'ined
tli.it tlic fi(>l;l beloiijTcd to him aloii;.'.
Mdiisicur, wlic had no h)ni;pr the s!ij,'htest fe<diii^' of jealousy,
and wlio besides permitted liimself to be mono[)olized by the
<'lievalier de Lorraine, alhjwed as much liberty in his bourse as
the most exacting couhl desire.
The King, for liis own part, who had taken a great liking to
the society of Madame, planned amusement after amusement in
order to l)rightt'n her stay in Paris, .so that not a day passed
without a liail at the Palais-Koyal or a reception at Monsieur's.
The King had Fontaiueblcau made ready to receive the
ciiirt, and every one was trying his best to be among the
guests. .Madame led the busiest life imaginable. Neither
her voice nor her jien was idle for a moment. The conver-
sations with De (Juiche were little by little assuming an
interest in which one could not fail to see the beginniug of a
dfi-p attachment.
\Vh<'n eyes languish during a discussion as to the color of
drr.-s materials; when one spends an hour in analyzing the
nifrits and the perfume of a sachet or of a flower, there are in
till' conversation words to which every one may listen, but
gestures or s'.rhs that every one may not s.'e or hear.
When Madame had talked for some time with M. de Guiche
slie si)oke with the King, who paid her a visit regularly every
day. They jjlayed cards, wrote verses, or chose mottoes oV
eiiil.lems. This spring was not only the s] riugtime of nature,
It was the , outh of an entire nation of which the court formed
till' liead.
ihe King was handsome, young, and more gallant than any
"iie else. He loved all women passionately, even the Queen
liw wife. He was, however, the most timid and the most
ii'served man in his kingdom ; so much so that he had not
U'lmitted his sentiments to himself.
riiis timidity kept him within the limits of the simplest
piiiiteness and no woman could boast of being preferred to any
other. One might foretell that the day when he should declare
liuiiself wouhl be the dawn of a new sovereignty, but as yet
(■ ■,
' -^M
i
.^JB~
00 THE VICOMTE DE HnA<n-U>\SE.
he h ul nut, -luno so. M. d. Cui.ho t.-.k a<lvanta,o of Urn to
Lko huuseU the kin. <,t f ^^he ann-n.js^c.our . ^^^__^ ^^^^^
L,.,-n>m,- l..r «' "' ' ^l ' ,,„ ti,,,, evon m \«> ."aliciuus
jps,';;;.'.'Ti.;:ui h- -- i»ck.... >..,.» «it.. .■,,„.., ., ,..»b
versat.ouswt. M.. Ume eu,,i ^^^^^^^ M.,„sieur,
l)e uuunc, uciviii„ t Ar.,,1.,,,,.. went to conso e tae pvnice.
i"rf«i;,":nL" ' r « i "...ruluiL a,,., .nu.tl,,sL to be
Wt l,i,„s,.lt tl,i. .noat >vretcl..!a <.C me.. a..il ai;ai..a..We.. .l.tl.ere
"'TC;i,;r;;,:o';:"w.:;rSe:i.ev,.,ieri, .<. be ,„„„.,,■■ .asthe
;r.',.:r.',;' M;;.:;a.:":M:I:.™."'«Ue de Tou„aV.Chare„te, and
two other lau^'liing niaids-of-honor.
THllllllFOLh I.oVK.
01
Further on was Mailame, seated c-ii some cushions, ami Dp
(.iiiclie on his knees beside her, spieadin;,' nut a liandtnl of
]icailsan(l iirccions stones anion'^'st which i he shMider white tin^'er
(if the princess was pointing,' out those which jileased lier most.
In another corner sat a },'uitar-iiLayer sin^'i- g M)nie of the
Spanish se;,nie(lilias wliich Machime had hived ever since she
liad iieard tiicin sunj,' by tiie yoiini,' Queen, with a certain minor
caih'iice in lier voice/ Ihit those wiiich the Spanish woman
had suui,' with tears in her eyes, tlie Kni,dishwoniau was huni-
mim; with a smih» wliicli revealed lier pearly teeth.
The room thus occupied presented the most smiling picture
of pleasure.
On entering,', Monsieur was struck by seeing so numy people
cnjoving themselves without him. lie was so jealous at the
si'^'lit that he could not restrain himself fnmi exclaiming like a
cidld: " What! Vou are amusing yourselves here while I am
btiicd to death all ahjiie ! "'
His voice was like a (dap of thunder which interrupts the
warbling of birds among the leaves. Tliere was an intense
silence. De (luiche was on his feet in an instant. Mali 'orne
crouched down behind the skirts of Montalais. Manicamp
arose anil assumed his grandiose air. The guitar-player shoved
his instrument under a table and pulled the rug over it to
liiih' it from the eyes of the prince.
Madame alone did wA move, but smiling up at her husband
sail to him, " Is not this the hour for your toilet '.' "
•• \Vhi( h others choose for amusing themselves," grumbled
the iniiice.
Tiiis unlucky speech was the signal for a general rout. The
W(.ineu scattered like a flock of frightened birds: the guitar-
plavr vanished like a shadow; Malicorne, still protected by
Montalais, who spread out her dress, glided behind a piece of
tajiestry. As for Manicani]), he went to the assistance of De
Cuiche', who naturally remained near Madame, and both with
tlie ]u-incess bravely Vustained the shock. The count was too
liappv to be angry with the husband, but Monsieur was vexed
with 'his wife. He wanted a motive for a quarrel. He sought
it. ami th<> liurried departure of the crowd — so hapi)y before
liis arrival and so disturbed by his presence — furnished him
w ith a ]iretext.
•■ Why are they running away at the sig't of me ? " said he,
111 a surly toue.
m^'
II
t ■
n
92
77//: ViroMTR DK P.ll \<ii:i.(>S Ml.
M.i.lain.' n'|.lir,l <M,l.'iy lliat wlifMifvcr tlu" luaM.T iij.iK'ar.'.l
tlic hoiisfholil ki'iil ;ipul thioii^'h ivs|ii'(r.
\-; >ln' saiil this shr Miadc s.. funny ami M>ni4iii-li a .^iiniac'
that Dr (inicli.- ana M.inicanq. .-nnl.l nol icsl ram tlM'iii-.'l vs.
Tlu-v Imrst, into lau-lit.'r; Ma,lah,r tnllnwr,! suit. M.inM.nir
liimsrlf can-Ill tlic inl'.M-tidU an.l u;is f.-n-.-l to Mt down, smr,-
he lan-h.'d sm that 1h' .-unM not, jnv-.-rv.' liis balan.'.-.
Kinallv In' stnpp.Ml, l,at liis an-.n- liad incn'ascl. Ilr uas
even nioiv 1-niinu. at liavin- lan-lif.l hinisrlt tli m l.r hail Imm.ii
at s,.,.in.- thf ..tlnn-s hui-h. II.' h'nk.'.l at Manirami. wil.li
lianl .'.vt^s, not darin- to sln.w his fury to the < omf .h'
(iuichi'.
r.nt at a si^'u which sliowcd much anijcr ManuMni]. and 1 ''•
(iuichc both withdrew. >o that Madame, l.dt ahmc, hc;,an vi.iiy
to "athci- up licr pearls, smiled no iumiv, and .spoke siiU less.
'M am very i^d.id/" said the <l'ike. "to see that I am treated
like a straii-er hi vour room. Madame;" and he lett in a ra-e.
(_)n the wa\ he met Moiitalais. who was on ;^niard m the
antechamber. ,,
" 1 am ph-ased to see yon,"' said he, '• but at the door.
Montahiis made a (k'ei) courtesy.
"I do not quite umh-rstand," said__she, " what your royal
Hi!.;hness dues me the honor to say.
'^I sav. mademoiselle, that when yon are all hui^ihm- to-
<rether iii Madame's apartments one is unwelcome who (h)Ps
not remain outside. ,
'<Your royal Highness is not thiukin.i,' or speakniL; so ot
yourself ? "' it
'M^n the contrary, mademoisplle, It is of myselt that 1 am
speakim; and thinki'^n-. Certainly 1 have no reason to flatter
myself because of the re.eption wlii(di is accorded me here.
What: (,ii a (lav when there is m Madame's ai.artnients - in
mine— music and society, on a day when I .'onnt on amusni-
myself a little in my turn, every one rushes away : Are they
afraid to see me, that every one Hees at my approach? Are
thev doinv' something wrong, then, when I am absent '.'
••'Why,' my lord,'' said :Montalais, "nothing was done to-.hiy
which is not done every day."
" What : they laugh like that every day '.' '"
" Whv. VPS. mv lord." ^„
<' Evi'rv'day there are groups like those 1 have just seen ;
"Just the same, my lord."
1
'nnulEFoi.l) LOVE.
98
•' Ami ovcrv day tlicy thiiiiii tlif ^,'iiit;ir '.'"
•• .M\ 1 M(i. tlic 1,'iiitHr clittcs liom to-iliiy ; hut \vlit>ii wft liiivo
11(1 '^'i-.it.ir UT h.ivc \ inliiis .iinl Hiitos. W'oun'ii grow weury
WltlllHlt lUllSlC."'
• lilt' (li'iicf I Ami tilt' mt'ii '.' ''
•• \\'li;it, iiu'ii, iriy lord '.' "'
'• M. lU' (iiiirlic, M. do .Maiiicamp, and the rest."
'■ All liflori'-,' to my lord's iioiisehold."'
•• ^'is, yes; you aic ii;.,dit, mademoiselle."
.\iid tin' piiuce rcturiu'd to liis apartineiits in deep tlKMiE^ht.
He tliifw himself into his lar^,'est, armehair without looking at
liimsrlf in the glass.
•• Where can the tdievalier ho '.' " said he.
'riit-re was one servant with the prince. His (piestion was
overheai'd.
•• No one knows, my lord."
•• .VL,Min that reply. The tirst one who answers me ' I do not
know,' I shall disidiarge."
Al tlit'se w(>rds every one tied from his apartments as they
li id done from Madame's.
The jdince tiew into the wildest rage. He kicked over a
cliitfonnier, which rolled on the Hoor hroken into a thousand
pieces.
Then, with the greatest coolness, he went to the galleries,
:iiid overturned one after another an enamelled vase, a porphyry
ewer, and a hronze eandelahrum. The whole made a frightful
noise. ICvery one rushed to the doors.
••What dn's my lord wish'.''" the captain of the guards
ventured \o say tmddly.
■• I am making some music for myself," replied my lord,
^'Hashing his teeth.
The captain of the guards sent for the physician of his royal
liveliness. r>iit hefore the physician came Malicorne, who said
''I llie prince :
".My lord, the (lievalier de Lorraine follows me."
riie duke looked at Malicorne and smiled on hitn.
The chevalier then entered.
94
riiH VKOMii: i)i: i:i:.\<,i:Li).\\\t:.
n
CIIAI'TKi: XII.
Tin: .IKAI.OISV (il- M. i,|.; I.UKKAINK.
Tni-; Due dV )rl,;,.ii,s -ivr ;i vvy of s.itisriiciinn ..n porceivinL'
tllC ( 'Ili'V.llliT (Ic I.iiniMiir
'• All, tins is tMituuatc," siu.l li... •• I'.v what ,.I,,ii,.r .|m wo
sec you ■,' Had you not (lisa|,|,.'ar.'il, as vwvy inw sai.l '.' "
" \'t's, my loi-il."
'• A caiuii f ',' "
"A .■a|.nc..'.' I-.' Ifav.. (•apnc.s witli yuur Hi-liiiess ?
llie rt'siicct —
" N'fv.T iiiiiid about ivspi'ct, ill wliich v-m fail cvcrv dav 1
abHoive you. Wiiy did you Icuvc ■.' •'
'■ lit'caiisc I was (|iiit(' usclrss to my lord."
" Explaiii youis(dt'."
" My lord had about liim poopl.. m.,iv amusiii',' than I could
ever bo. I tVlt I had iiot th,- sti-cn-th \n ,-oiit.-ud, thcicfor,. I
witlidrt'w."
— All this r.'serv(," of you.s shows lack of common sense
\V ho are some of the jieople a-ainsl wliom you cannot contend "
De (riiiclu;'.' "
" I Ki\'<' iH) names."
" flow absurd .' |)c (Juiche aniiovs you '.' "
" I do not say that, my lord, but \b not foive mo to si)eak.
ion w.'ll know that \)t> (Juiche is one of our best friends."
" Who is it, then '.' "
•• I be- y„„. ,|,y lord, oxcuse me. Let us say no more about
The chevalier knew ],crfectly well that curi..sitv is ev.'ited
bv the letusal ot an explanation just as thirst is stimulated bv
the removal ot a lievera^'e.
" No, r wish to know wliy you went awav."
"Well. I will tell y(ju, but do not take it in bad part"
" Speak."
" I !)erceived tliat I was in the wav."
" In whose way ".'"
'• In Madame's."
" How so ■.'" said the dnke. astonished.
•> It is vorv simple. Madame is perhaps iealous of the friend-
slii[) wlucli you are kind ciiouL,di to show me."
iiii: .f/:,ii.i>rsy of
^f. i>h: i.ohhm.m:.
".♦5
" Fills slic shown it, to v(i,i •/ "
■• W li.it, tiiMol' "
-j:r,^:;:;t^:'l.^:.:':;,';:;:'L,:'': - -'■'-"»
I lie <liikc colorcl
^aMt;s;:v. ';;:;;■;' ^^■'-^''"^-—t'y.iui....iH.vaiier:'-
^,_,;^,^;/;;^^;;;K..^In vlKit n.,.....t .lo,.s MaWanu. pn.f..r M. ,le
___ i;^! >hallsay n„thn„ .a,..," ..., t,.e ..I.ovalie,-. bowing cere-
-{v:;^;pj;;;-l::-srj:;;v'i:;;;H::'j:!;r; •■-
; \\ liat pliras,, .I„ you mean, i„v ]onl ' " ^
^^•W.^sai,I.;„vate.l.ithfavo.-,- What do you ,„oa„ by
.o^f^'/nl;;;;; " "l-l;!";;;'">'^"^'''"r-'l t>- ••hevalio,-, with great
•• llieu ■.' Finish."'
1
96
Till-: vicdMii: ni: i:i:.{(.i:i.(i\.\;:.
" Then, [ say, my lurd, one is pciliaiis jealous. Hut all
these details are scarcely to the point. There is no question
of them in our conversation."
The vluke was a;4itate(l and seemed to he strunL^liu'^' with
himself.
" You do not tell uie," he said, tinally, '• whyycju went away.
Just now you said that it was irom tear of heint,' in llie way.
You even added that you had observed on the part of .Madame
a tendency to ta\(ir I)(! (iuiche."
" Ah, my lord, 1 tlitl not say that."'
" Y(ju dill ! ■■
" Well, if I did say so I saw nothin,;^ hut what was inno-
cent."'
" Hut you did see something' ? "'
'> My lord confuses me."'
" What difference does that make ? Speak, if you are tell-
inr; the truth, why should you feel confused '.' "'
•• 1 always speak the truth, my lord, hut 1 always hesitate
when it is a question of repeatiuL^ the words of others."
"Ah, you are repeating. It seems that there has been
some talk, then '.' '"
'• I confess that the subject has been mentioned to me."
« V>y whom ".' "
The chevalier assum(>d an almost antjry air.
"My lord," said he, "vou are submittin;^' me to a cross-ex-
amination. Vou are treating me like a criminal at the bar —
ami the rumors which barely touch a gentleman's ear are
quickly forgotten. Your Highness wishes me to nuignifv the
report to the dignity of a fact."'
" Hut," cried the duke in anger, '• it is true that you with-
drew be<'ause of this rumor."
"I will tell you the truth ; 1 have been sj)oken to concern-
ing M. tie (iuiche's attentions to }.iadame. Nothing more.
An innocent pleasure, I nqieat, and furtheruKU-e permissible.
IVcit, Monsieur, do nut be unjust, and do not push the matter
to e.Ktremes. It does not concern you."
" It does not concern me when it is a cpiestion of De (luiciie's
attentions to Madame'.' "'
•• No, my lord, no I And what 1 sry to you I would say to
De ( Juiche himself, so little importance do I attach to the court
he is paying Madame. I would say it even to her. Only you
understand what 1 fear, I am afraid of being thought jealous
■niK JEALOUSY OF n. in: Lonn\ixK. 1.7
si:'s.n;i;;:;;:t'!;:J:;:i:t:r;:-tjir'^i
s uiKUnl a.lnurut.nn. Co,,... hav y„u unvthin, to^^S
tli'Y.Msunin,..' Is ,t n„t that „f ui. honnrabl. nia„ ' J ',
'■'""!'■'•> not that ..{■ a tnio friea,! :' \nswer at 1 > \ r^
••< omc, said he, -be candid.''
nt vl,' 'uV?.'' ''''''"* ^'""^^"'^ -^^'^•'-'^'"'^ »'■ I «l'all take leave
I .-^.mlKu"- """^'''' ^ '^ ""^ ^"^i^^^* ^^-'--' ^-t I see,
■• liiickiii'jiiaiii is a fuol."'
•■A tool about whoiii 30U thorou^dily opened my eves "
^o, no, said the dievalier. quioklv •• It «4 S T 1,
-oiv jSlou;'''"' '''^ ' ^'" ^'°'"'^'' ^^^'^ "« <^"i^he was the
to,;;/ 'i'TJol '!r;\r'" T'r^'^ ^'^^ ^'^^^-^-^l'-- ^^ the sa^e
'"^ He was hghtmg for home and altar "
J^^^U:iS^ir' ''^ "''^^' ^-"^htily, rebelling
. j-^Is_not :^r. de Guiche the first gentleman of your house-
I'.dwiigiianis excite anv comment'^-''
Vol. 11.-7
t k
08
THE VICnMTE DE HliAdELO.WE.
" Certainly."'
" Is it said that M. de Oiiiche's is equally notiood '.' "
" My lord, you are mistaken ii,'aiii. It is imt said tiiat M.
de (luicdie is in love."'
"Very <,'()u(l. Very good."
" You see, my lorcl, that it would have been better, a hun-
dred times better, to have left me in my retirement than to
have roused m yon, by my sornples. snsjjieions that Madame
will regard as crimes. And stie will be right.''
" What would you do ? "
" Act reasonably.''
" How ? "
" I should not pay the least attention to tlie society of these
new P]i)icnreans, and in this way the rumors will cease."
" I shall see. 1 sliall tiiink about it."'
"Oh, you have time. The danger is not great. And tlien
it is a (jne: ;..jn neither of danger nor of ])assion. It was a
question only of my fear of seeing your friendshi]) tor me
lessen. From the moment you convinced me that I was mis-
taken I had no further thought."
The duke shook hi.s head as though he meant to say, •■ Vou
may liave :io other idea, but I have.''
lint the hour for dinner had c((me. My lord sent to inform
.Madame. The reply was brought to iiim tiiat Madame could
not be present. She would dine in her own apartments.
" That is not my fault," said the duke. ■' This morning,
happening ui)on them in the midst of their nnisic, I became
jealous and they are out of sorts with me.''
'< We will dine alone,"' said the chevalier, with a sigh. " I
am sorry De Guiche is not here."
"Oh, De (Juiche will not be cross for long. He is a good-
natiued fellow."
" My lord," said the chevalier, suddenly, " a good idea has
come to me. Just now in our conversation I may have irri-
tated your Highness and given you cause for dissatisfaction
against him. It is fitting that 1 should be the mediator. I
will go and look for the count, and bring him back with me."
" .\h, chevalier, ycm have a good lieart."
" Yon say that as though you are surprised.''
"■ The deuce 1 You are not so considerate every day."'
'• That may be, but confess that I know how to atone for a
wrong that I have committed'.' "
TriE JEALOUSY OF M. DE LORRMXe. 99
" r admit that."
^ ;;_W.ll yo..r Hi,hnoss do n.e the favor to wait here a fev.
^ •;JVUiin,ly. (.. ahead, i .ill try o. „.y Fontainebleau
The .-hevalior left an.l ealled his attendants ..,th ^reat eare
as h,,„.,di he were g.vu.,^ them various orders ^
duv, !,"?'" '"'■'' "^'"" '" '•'^^^'"-'' --'t «ff in <lifferent
w,;h^i:i;;;;;;tiJ':::t[tt:si^^^
.j^;:;:;M=Sie:i;--L^^^=vrT-^
.vou that the inquiry will be useless, for all < f AI Lc^- ^ }
" \\ hat IS u: •"■ said the ehevalier " Wl,,- .-. .
ticiis '.' " "e\anei. \\ iiy so many precau-
•• I^""k. monsieur," said the valet
" What ■.' ■'
•■ Look yonder under the walnut tree "
_;;Ah,lorsooth: I see Afaniean.p. What is he waiting
_ ;• y,m will see if you have patience. There ! Do you see
I.. ,s wa.fn. unt.l the sn.all door of the stairefse u ed bv
^,u..c s apa,tn>ents, where sonie new music will k. heardduring
"'niis that you are telliufr me is beautiful "
'■ '■^ It not, monsieur '.' "'
•• And it is M. Malicorne that told you this ? "
'■ lie likes you, then '.' ''
■• He likes JMonsieur "
•• Why •/ ■'
nu
- Ik
li
mCT-o;
lA
VICTOHiA.
*"^i.'. coc
l-IBNA«3i
■C.
luu
77/A; VirOMTH PR BR.\(;EL()XSE.
" Hprrinsf lio wislios to lioldiiL; U) his lioitsfhdM."
'• By hpiivon, he sliull I Hnw luucli did In- i^ivp you for
that V' '
*' Tlif sccrot which I soil to y(i\i. inoiisieiir."'
•• I will pay you a huudrfd pistolos for it. HtMc. tako them."
" Thank you, inonsiour. Sue I the little door is opcnin;.,'. .V
woman admits the musicians — "
" It is ]\rontalais.""
'■ Hush, mniisicur. Do not utter tliat name aloud. Whoever
says Montalais says Malici>rne. It' you tall out with one you
will be on bad terms with the other."
"Very well — I have seen nothing'.'"
'• And I have received notliing," said the valet, carrying' away
the purse.
lieiu!^ sure that l)e (luiclie had entered, the chevalier re-
turned to Monsieur, whom he found s[ilendidly attired, and
beamin;,' with joy and grace.
•■ They say," exidaimed Lorraine, "that tin' Kiuj; lakes the
sun tnr his device. Really, Monseiy;neiu', that ei, • would
suit you bettor.''
•• But l)e duiche'.""
" Canudt be found. He has fled, disappeared. Your ill-
huuKU' this mornini,' frightened him away. He was not to be
found in his rt)oms.''
" I!ah I the hare-brained fellow is capable of having s(^t otf
post-haste for his estates. Poor fellow I We will recall him.
Come, let us have dinner.''
•' My lord, it is a day for ideas. I liave another."'
" What is it '.' "
" My lord, Madame is angry with you, and she has reason to
be. ^'ou (jwe her her revenge. Go and dine with her.'"
" < >h, that would be playing the part of a weak husband."'
" Xo, of a good husband. The ])rincess is tired — she will
he ciymg over her dinner. Her eyes will he red. .V luisiiand
who nuikes his wife's eyes rod is odious. C(une, my lord,
conu'."
" Xo, my dinner is ordered here."'
" You see, my lord, we shall be dull, ^fy heart will ache
with the knowledge that Maihune is alone. 'You, hard hearted
as you would like to be, will be sighing. Take me to dine with
Madiune; it will be ;i ch.arming surprise. 1 will wager th.at
we shall be amused. Y'ou were wrong this morning."'
.^oxsncfn IS jEALors of de aricuE
101
'■' iVriiaps so."
''?heva'lrZ'''r''' ''''""' '^ It is a fact."
Llie\a.i,. .chevalier, you (•(.unsel n.e ill "
n,y lonl.- ''^ *'**^ """' t^»'"' ^^7 the deed. Come,
;• V.„id.',.ide,n.>. Let us go."
mJi!;;'!:^" '^'^ '^ '^"^"■*'"-'^ -^^^ the chevalie. and weut to
^ ' 1^ WLic alMJut to aiiiiounoe them
CHAPTER xril.
MON-SIKUK ,S JEALOUS OF I,E GUIr„K.
.■''!' -;'^;vL:;::;;:ir^i-:^,J^^ ^'-- -l-e intentions are
'" -prise some .S' e ttho te, ur"'"'' ""' }'^' ^^'"^'^ ^^''''^ ^ope
ahvadv Lo^Mui. '''"''"' '^^^"'^^ ^^tt the dinner whieh she ha.l
--TiiflEr;^-^,;;;-'-' -'■«; -th arn>s raised and
■'•1- l-i.H.ess w^s da in" n^ 7' '""'.^V^h oaressing gestures.
''- -ne alluring sSS^:^"'" "'' the same smile and
-- i'^Slng orScSS: ^i^ ''='"-- -'^^-' '" a corner.
'^'* '■♦ ^vhid, the e.rtr-u e^^ ■.'npossdde to de.s<.rihe the
''■'I'I'V ••omnanv T u 7, , -^rons.eur pro.luee.l upon this
^^■•■ile the eSwl eW ''^"- ^^"''^""y i-nposs.ble to ,C
^n Philippe ''' ''^ ""^^ P''^"^^^ by this happy company
.;■!
10-2
Tin: VK'OMTE />/•; BliACELOSNE.
Tlie ('unite de (Jiiiche had not .strcn^'th tu rise. Madiuue
stopped in the midst of lier dance, finable to utter a word.
The Chevalier de Lorraine, leaning; against the door-post,
was sniilnif; like a man lost in the most innoeent admiration.
The pallor of the i)rini-e. ihe .onvnlsive tremhlint,' of his
hands and limbs, were tiie tirsi sym])toms which struck those
present. A i)rofo\ind silence sue eeiled the music of the dance.
The Chevalier de Lorraine took advantai,'e of this interval to
salute Madame and De (iuiche most respectfully. ].retending
to confuse them in his salutation like the two heads of the
house.
Monsieur approached in his turn.
" I am enchanted," saiil he in a harsh voice. " I eame here
expecting to Hnd you ill and low-spirited. I find you giving
yourself up to new pleasures. Really, it is most fortunate.
My house is thc: most delightful in the world."
Then tuiuing to De Guicht; ; " Count," said he, " 1 did not
know that you were so good a dancer."
And turning to his wife : " lie kinder to me," said he, with
a bitterness that veiled his anger. " Every time that \m\ have
friends with you invite me. 1 am a much neglected prince."
De (luiclie had recovered his self-possession, an(l with a
natural pride that well became him, he said : '■ My lord well
knows that my entire life is at his service. Whenever there
is a question of giving it I am ready. To-day it is a ([ucstion
only of dancing to the sound of violins, and I dance."
" And you are right," said the prince, coldly. " Tuit, ^Ladame,"
lie continued, " you do not notice that your ladies deprive me
of my friends. M. de Guiche does not belong to you. Madam,
but to me. If you wish to dine without me you have your
ladies. When 1 dine alone I have my gentlemen • do not rob
me of everything."
Madame felt the reproach and the lesson. The color
mounted swiftly to her face.
" Monsieur.'' she replied, " on coming to the court of France,
1 did not know that ])rincesses of my rank were to be regarded
as the women of Turkey. I did not know it was forbidden for
us to see men ; but since such is y(mr wish, 1 will conform to
it; (h» not hesitate, if you wish it, to biir my windows."
This reply, which made Montalais and De Guiche smile, re-
newed the prince's anger, of which a good part had already
evaporated in words.
itnx.snir/i ,s jEALoi-s of dk auwii,.:. ,o3
t,p ciilm liiin. ' ^'^^"-^ "»ti<'ftl lie was trying
'•Come,"' reiilit'd the Drinop f.m ..ii
"in,;: against Mad?in .. ^'"^^^"17 that J.o ran.e near run-
'ilie chevalier lolh)\ved his master \c^ \.\ ■ .
whiH. the prinee had no sooi.'^L^ L^? Zf ?""' '"
tii'f. rem to liis fury 'unibeit tlian lie gave
anJsluluSllnr'"' '" ''" '' '"^^"^' ^^^^P^'^ ^^ ^-^^^^^
•• V.mropini.m ■"■ cried Monsieur.
"Oil wliat, my lord ? "
•'""all that is going on here."
"Oil. my lord, it is serious"
;; J ,s abominable ! I cannot live this way."
->.i!: .;r;Sr';hrd;:^if:,tf ^^ "^? '-^^^
liain." ueparture of that madman liucking-
" And tliis is worse !"
' I do not say that, Monsieur "
\v liat do you mean '■* "
" ^''o, no, my lord ! "
'■'.il^l :" 'butf win" El-tr I "' '™^f '•'^^ ^ -^f-i"«d
knmvn." "*" ''^ "° ^*^"g<"' ^ ^'hat go3s on must be
•• -My lord, a whisper "
Ji
M
i^Ki
W^-
W^-''
104
77/ A' ViroMTE DE HR.\(; i:iJ)SSK.
Slip souicMiiif's rciUPiiibpied the poor youiif? man whom she
had ipceivt'd as a iiiotlier ami tiiriuMl away as a stt'iiniother.
A si^li (•(iiiclii(lt!il the thoiij^'ht.
Siiddciilv the Dae d'Oileans eiiterod her rnoiii.
" MothtM-,"' he eried, hastily closing the (lo(,is, " things cannot
go on this way.''
Anne of Austria raised her beautiful eyes to him, and with
quiet sweet n(>ss said :
•' Of what things are you speaking? "
" I allude to Maihime."
'' Yo\ir wife '.' ''
" Yes, mother."
'' I '11 wager that that mad Huekingham has written some
farewell letter to her."
"Oh, yes, mother, it must be a question of Buckingham ! "
<' Of whom else, then '.' for that poor fellow was wrongly the
object of your jealousy, and I tho\ight — "
" Mother, Madame "has already replaced M. de Buckingham."
" l*hilipi)e, what du you mean '.' You speak heedlessly.''
'• N.>, no. Madame has managed so cleverly that J am still
jealous."
"Of whom in God's name ? "
" What! you have not noticed ?"
" No."
" You have not seen that M. de Guiche is always in her
rooms with her '.' '"
The queen clapped her hands together and began to laugh,
"riiilippp,'" said she, "you have not merely a fault, but a
disease. ■■
" Whether a fault or a disease, Madame, I s\iffer from it.'"
" And you pretend that an evil which exists only in your
imagination can be cured ? You wish me to approve of your
jealousy when it is without foundation ? "
" So yoii are beginning to say for this one what you said
for the otlier ? "
" Because, my son,'" said the queen, dryly, " what you did
for ttie other you are going to do again for this one."
The prince bowed, somewhat pi(pied.
" And if I give you facts," said he, " will you believe me ? "
" My son, in regard to anything but jealousy I would be-
lieve you without any statement of facts ; but for jealousy I
can promise you cothing."
"TlH'ii it is just as if y..n.- Ma.j...sty nnlon-.] .„.• tn k...,. stiil
and .lisnusscd m,. \viMi,,ut a Iicmui.' - '
•• Do.u.t ox.i-erafe, I'hilippo. an.l be .•a,of„I not t.. ro,.re-
s.-.it your wif .^ as a depraved character - •' '
" Hut the facts ! "
" I am listeIliIl^^"
.,::«;!;;:,u'""""- '" "" "''■"""• *■"' -- - - «-'-«•»
" Tliat was imiocent."
•' M. <h' Gui.d.e was talki.,,,^ with her ah)m . \h ' [ for<.ot
|;;;.;ll yjH> that for the last week he has left her ,.o J^l^^^::^
:: ,\'>' *■,'';'"''• '!' t:''*'y,"-e'-f> fl-'it.i; wronj,. thev wouhl hid.- "
11' nit inner wiiat vou have iiisii- cniJ 'im,; , i "^
I • , , ' »"iv J"si. said. 1 us iiioriuiii' I ^jnv
I -.n,r,s,.,l tiiem, and cdearly showed my <IisapprovaI •' " '
;r::;.r^L;^tKt5^:7tt;-^^^^^^
1. -M. lau.e. I his morning s lesson ought to have sufficed
•u. • t hey were doing wrong they would hide." " '
Ihat IS what I said."
'• Well just now repenting of my hanshne.ss of the monin?
■ Hi thinking that De (h.iche was sulking at home I wen t^,'
adanies room, (^uess what I found tliere •' More nu 'sic
'lancu.g. and De (Juu-he ; he was hidden there " '
■\iiiie ot Austria frowned.
'• XcJlang'^' '""*'"''" "'"''^ '^"- " ^^"* ^^'^ ^^•'^^^"'^ '^y ? "
'• I>e (Juiche ? "
■• 1 he same ~ or — he muttt >d something impertirent "
\\ hac do you conclude. Philippe '^ " "Pertinent.
-iv?ltVxt'IidTa;"tt' " 'r\''-^ -'^^ Buckingham was
A.ni shnigge"'tt:U'uIdS^^^ ^"^^"' ^^ ^^ ^^^^^^■'
" Well ? "
11
IIM'i
tin.' viciiuri: in-: HHMIEIOXSE.
" I wisli Dt! diiiflu' to Ifiivo my liniisc iis I'.iukiir^'liiiiii <liil
iiiid I sliiill ask it of tin' KinK' uiilfNS — "
" I'lllfSS ?"
«• You vouiselt' will cxfciitc the L'oiiiiiiis.sion, Miitlanic . you,
who arc so clever anil so kiiui."'
" I will not do it."
" What, mother?"
" Listen, IMiilipi)'^ ; I am not disposed to pay i)e<>plc I'oor
comiilimeuts every (hiv ; I have soiue intineiice over this yiuiuj,'
it;
woiiiaii, but I cannot take ailvanta;,'*' ot it without losini,' it ^
besides, there is nothiiiKto prove that M. de (luiciic is t,'uilty."
" lie has displeased inc."
"That concerns you."
" Well. I know what 1 shall do," said the iiriiice, impetuously.
.\nne looked at him anxiously.
" What will you do'.' "
" I will have him drowned in my pond the first time I find
him in my house aKain."
.\nd tliis ferocious speech launched, the prince awaited some
show of terror. The (pieeii was unmoved.
<' Do so," said she.
rhilippe was as weak as a woman, and ber;an to exclaim :
"I am betrayed; no one loves me, — even my mother joins
my enemies ! "
"" Your mother sees further than you do, and does ni>t care
to advise you, since you will not listen."
" I shall go to the King."
<' I was about to i)ropose that. I am expecting his Majesty
here ; it is time for his visit. Explain the matter to him."
She had scarcely finished when Philippe heard the door of the
ante-rooin thrown open noisily. Fear seized him. The King's
footstei)s were hoard on the c;iriiet. The duke fled through a
small door, leaving the queen by herself. Anne of Austria
began to laugh, and was still laugfiing when the King entered.
He came very affectionately to inquire news of the queen
mother's health, Avhich was already failing. He came also to
announce to her that all the preparations for the journey to
FontainebleaiT were complete.
Seeing her laughing, he felt his anxiety regarding her grow
less, and laugheil himself as he spoke to her.
Anne of Austria took his hand, and in a voice full of play-
fulness, said:
Mnxsir.rn is .//■a/mis of hi-: ,ii uhe. lo7
'•I.O v.M, know that I an, jTon.] „f l,ei„. ,^ Spanish
'■ Wliv. Madame ■/ "•
lisi; l;:;;r- "'"""'' """"" "" ''' '^^^^ ^^"'-^f' •""-"-' ^-n^-
'• Kxplaiu yourself."
'• No, indeed."
'• \ef you have hren married some time. V,,,,,- brotiier on
tl.erontrary, has been married fifteen .hivs-- '
" \\ ell '.' " ^
- An,l is .•omplainin^ of Madame for the seeond tin.e.-'
\\ hat : J!uekinj.diam a-,'ain V "
'• No, another."
" Wlio'/''
" l>e (Jwielie."
" Ah ! Su .Madame is a eoiinette ? "
" I fear so."
'• My poor brother : •' sai.l the Kin-, lan^hin-.
•• ^ on tori,'ive eixpietrv, I see '.' ''
'• I.| Ma.la.ne yes; Madan.e is not a eoqnette at heart "
.^., Ihat may he; hnt yonr brother has lost his hea.l'abont
" U'iiat <h)es lie want?"
" I)e (iuiche must be drowned, he says — "
" Ihat is severe.''
'' To s'uVn "r ^ ^'\ " ^'"'"'^r'''^^'^- ^"^'S^«^ something."
J o save J)e (nuejie — wiliiiifrly.:' ^
'' Oh, if your brother heard you, he wouhl eonsiure ai-ainst
>^... Monsieur, as your unele did agai.ist the 'Kin^y:;ur
'• No. I'hilippe is too fond of me, and I of him We shall
1-;; as ,^>od friends. What is the substance of his requei ?"
,';>';" ^v. 1 prevent Madame from being a coquette and
!'• '"""'he from being amiable "
"<»"l.v that '.' My brother has a high idea of roval power
.. -•.wree a woman ! Hard to do that, even to a man^''
How would von go to work ''' "
I--'I''hi "'''^ '" ^'' '"'''^^'' ^'''" '^^^^^-^ fellow, I can
" iiut Madame'.' "
=ii
1(»S
77//; VICOMTK DE liRAdKI.OS SE.
" That will 111' iiiiin- ililli<'iilt. A wonl will net br ftmu-h.
I will ('(iiiiiioso ;i homily ami will ifa<l it to Iht."
" 'rillK' IUCSSI'S."
•• (111, I will MSI' all iios>ihl»' >|>fi'(l. \Vr have a i .'|.<'t it i. m ol
the Ipallft, llii> aili'i-nooii."
•• \'oii will |iifacli whili' daiiriii;^' '.' ■'
" Vfs, .MailaiiM'."
'• \'(iii |iroi.usi' to foiivrrt lii'i''.'
•• I will ','iaiiicatt' the hcicsy. citlitM- bycoin id ion or l>y tin'.''
••\'i-,\ wrill Do Hot mix iiu' up in tin- altair; Ma'Lim"
woiiM not loi^'ivc ini' all Iht life; ami as a mothcr-iii-Kiw 1
ouirlit to live with my (laii'4lit<'i--iii-law."
■• Madame, tlif Kiiiv; will take t'vciythiii'^' into his own
hamls. l'>Mt li t me ri'tli-ct."
•• On what ■/"
'• It mii,'lit he lit'tter, jx-rhaps. it I wfin to go iml Mf .Madame
in her own apai tment '.' "
•' That would be somewhat seiioiis."'
•• Ves. lint seriousness is not ami>s in |iieachei s, andthenthe
inusif id' the ballei will <lrown half my aiguiiients, llesides,
it IS a (|uestinii ot preventing any violence (ui the pai't (d my
brother. A little haste might lie belter. Is Madame m her
rodins '.' "
" I think so.''
'• The statement of grievances, if you please '.' "'
'• I will give it in two words : constant music : attentioii.s of
De (iiiiche ; suspicions of conspirai. .. and piotc
'• The [iroof.s '.' "'
'• None."'
" Cood ; I will go to Madame."
And the King turned to glance in th(> mirrors at Ids cos-
tunie, wdii(di was rich, and his face, which glowed like
diamonds.
" Does she keep Monsieur at a distance '.' "" he asked.
'•Oh, tirt and water are not more opposed."'
" That is enough. Mother, 1 kiss your hands — the most
beautiful hands in France."'
" Success to you, Sire; be the family peacemaker."
" I shall employ no ambassador,"' said Louis. ••This is say-
ing to you that I shall succeed.""
He left the room laughing, and carefully adjusted his rutHes
as he went along.
77//; MiihiA roii.
CHAITKR .\r\^.
109
Tl'i: Ml lUATolt.
Wiiiv tho Kin - ippoim-.l ;.t Ma-lnno's all tlio .■..nrti..|s
^^■' ' ""■ 'i''«S(>t a .-niiiM-al MtMi.' liaW disprix,.,! tliniu-l, .1,,.
ai.aitnu-iit.. Ix-Lraii to t,..'! th,. most s.Mious anxL-rv. \""stonii
was .•M.i.M.tly nsi.i- la that ,lirectioii, all tlw .•l..in.-Mis ,,1
winch thf ChrvalMT (1.. I.onaiiK-, in the midst of tlio -roups
was aiialvziii- with dcli-ht. addinj,' sii-i,'fsii,,„s to tlif w.-ikc,'
and nitlii..,„-,n- in his \vi<-k<.'d d.-siKHs thf stron-.T, in ,„d.T to
I'lodiK (' the most «>vil (dlVcts iiossihlc.
As Anne of Austria had said, tin- iinscnc.. ,d' the Kin ive
a sohmui (diaract.T to the alfair. In iCCl' tin- disc,,nt7.irt of
> onsi.Mu- with Madame and the int.-rventi-.n .d the Kin- in
M.iiisirnrs private affairs was no small matter.
So the |„,!dest, who had surrounded the Comtede (ini.die from
the first, wore seen to move away from hiin in a sort (d' fear-
ai.'i ll;e cnwnt himself, infect. m1 l.y the -enoral pani.-, with.lrew
til ins own room.
Tlie Kin- entered .Madamo's apartment, salntin- every one
as he was in the habit of .loin-. The mai.ls .d lion,,r w.ue
niii-ed ni a line alon- lii.s passaj^'e in th.' -allery.
l*iv.»'iupi.-d as was his Maj.-stv. !.,■ -ave the glance .d i
niasJ.T at the two rows rd' yom,- and lov.dv uomeu, who iimd-
o-tlv lowered tlieir he.v.i.s. .Vli l)lushe.l to'tin.l the eyes oi th<.
Km- on them. One only, who.se Ion- h;.ir fell in silken .muIs
evert 1.. most l.e,autifiil .skin in the n-orhl, was palo and eoiiJd
M'arr.dy sustain herself, in spit,. ,d' the knocks h.'r compani..,
•-'.ivc h.-r with her ell„,w. This wa.s La Valliere. whom M,,„-
tal.ns thus sui.port..d, impartin- to her in whispers som,- ,,f
tl'f '"ura-.' with whicli .slie lu-rself was so al.un.laiitlv pro-
^ 'I'lie Kin- could not resist turnin- round a-ain. Vll the
'^"^'K wlncdi had already been raise.l, were a-aiu h.were.l ■
!■'- tlie only blonde one amon- them remained motionless as
• i-'uh she had exhausted all the stren-th an.l intelli-ence which
were Iclt her. "
Oil (Mit.uin- Ma.lame-s room, Louis foun-l his sister-indaw
■f'-.inin- on the cushions of her cabinet. 8he rose and made
4
f!
1=
I.
m
110
/'///•; VIcoMTK hi: HIL\<: I'.lJiW I-:
a profound courtesy, inurmurin<; some tlianks for tlio honor
she was receiving. Then she resumed her seat, overeome by
a weakness, assumed, no (h)id)t, for a h)vely color Hushed her
cheeks, and her eyes, still red from recent weepin.i,', never iiad
flashed more fire.
When the King was seated, and when lie liad remarked,
witii that keenness of observation which characterized liim,
the disorder of the room and the no less great disorder of
Madaine's face, he assumed a playful manner.
"Sister,'' said he, " at wliat hour to-day should you like to
have the ballet ? "
Madame slowly and languidly shook her charming head
and said: "Ah, Sire, kindly excuse me from the rehearsal.
I was going to inform your Majesty that 1 could not go to-
day."
•'Why," said the K'ug in careful suii)rise, ''are you ill,
sister '.' "'
" Yes, Sire."
" In that case I shall summon your doctors.''
" No. for the doctors can do nothing for nie."'
" Yon frighten me.''
" Sire, I want to beg permission of your grace to return to
England."
The King started.
" To England ! Do yon mean what you say, Madame '.' '
" I say it reluctantly. Sire," rejdied the granddaughter of
Henri JV., resolutel, , her beautiful black eyes gleaming.
"Yes, I regret to have to make such confidences to your
Majesty; but I am too unhappy at your Majesty's court. I
want to return to my own family."
" Madame ! Madame I "
Anil the King drew near.
" Listen to me, Sire," continued the young woman, acquir-
ing by degrees tliat ascendency over her interrogator which
was given by her beauty and her nervous nature. '• I am
accustomed to suffering; young as I am, I have yet been humili-
ated and scorned. Oh, do not contradict me. Sire," said she,
with a smile.
The King cohu'cd.
" So I have begun to believe that (iod brought me into the
world *'or nothing save scorn - - me, the daughter of a power-
ful king; but since He deprived my father of life He could
THE M/WfATOR.
Ill
well simtn my pn.lo. I have s„ffere,l j,M-eatlv. I have .awsed
tny iM.-ther unich ^iief; but 1 swore that 'if ever (J,„l ..ave
n.ea position of iiulepen.le.i.P, were it that of a workwoman
of the i-eople who gams her bread by manual labor, I would
never sntter the least humiliation. That day has come
i.av,. recovere, the fortune .Im, to my rank/to my birth.'
i iK.v,. ascended the steps of the throne. I tlum.dit that.
■ Ihed to a Freneh prmce, I would find in him a kinsman, a
tn.-nd, an e.pial ; bnt I see that I have found onlv a master
and I rebel against it, Sire. My mother shall knmv nothing
of it. \ou, whom I respeet and whom — [ love — "
'I'he King started ; never had voice so caressed his ear
'• 'iou Sire, who know all, since you have come here — you
will perhaps understan.l ine. If yon had nut come I sh.mld
iiave gone to you. It is your permission to go awav that I
wan . I leave it to yonr delicacy. You, a man of feeling, to
exculpate and protect me." '^'
'•Sister, si.cter,'-- stammered the King, overcome bv this hold
a tacK, have youcarefnlly reHected on the ennrmon's dithcuitv
ot tli(> i)roject you have formed ? " ^
"Sire, I do not reHect, I feel. Attacked, I in.stinctivelv
rejie' the attack; that is all." ■-'untiiveij
" i!ut what have thev done to you •? Co»ne "
The princess, as will be seen by this mananivre, peculiar to
«-n,en, had escaped every reproach an.l had formnlated a mneh
u.nr.' serions one: from the accused she had become the «;-
ll,T'''o.. \i' "T "'*'f •^''^ "'f-'" «f guilt, bnt notwithstanding
M> e en the least clever women always know how to turn
tlie tables to win.
The King did not realize that ho haa come to her to say •
\» liat have yon done to my brother ? • and that he had been
' - i need to asking : - What have they done to yon " "
"^M'^it have they done to me r'replie.l Madame. "Oh one
>;n.st 1,B a woman to understand. Sire, they have mad^ ine
Ami with a finger which for slen.lerness and whiteness had
.' . t^ e,,nah she pointed to her brilliant eyes bathed in tears,
•ii'i agaui began to weep. '
u mn'thrnlV,"''' f y^'V^ the King, advancing to take her
'^.nin, tluobbi.ig hand, which sn^ let him hold
•>Hv in the first place I was deprived of the presence of a
i-ud of my brother. The Juk. of Buckingham was uu
i^'H
112
THE ViroMTE Di: BIIACKLOXXE.
a:^ref'ablp, ]
tloasant L'uost for me. a ('(.untryiiian who know Tiiy
habits, almost a compaii
days we usf
ion, I nii<,'ht say, so iiiauy were
I to pass 'to<,'ethpr with our other t'rioiuls on
the
the
beautiful water of St. -lanies. ^^
•' But, sister, Villiers was in h)ve with you. _
'• V i)retext: Wliat does that matter," said she seriously,
" whetlier the (hike was in love with me or not ? Is a man lu
l.,ve dan-.Tous f,.r me ? Ah. Sire, it is not sutheient for a man
*" >'ml si'.e smihMl so tenderly, so archly, that tiio Kin- felt his
he: .t beat and throl) in h.is breast. .. , •
•> Nevertheless, suppose my brother were jealous . he in-
terrupted. ,
'• Well, I admit that is a reason, and they sent away the
duke.'"
'• Sent away ? Oh, no ! " r -■ , >
'• Expelled, dismissed, drove away, if you prefer, Sire. One
of the lirst uentlemen of luirope saw himself forced to leave
the court of the Km- of France, oi Louis XIV., like a beg-ar,
because of a -lance or of a bouquet. Thai, was little wortuy
.,f the most -allant court. Pardon me, Sire, I forgot that in
speakin- thus I was attatkin- your sovereign power.
•• Faith, no, sister, it was not I who ilismissed the duke.
pleased me greatly."' ,
"It wa- iot you ■.'•"said Madame, cleverly. " Ah. so much
the better '. '" .\nd she emphasized the •• so mm-h the better
as if she liad said. '• so much the worse.''
There was silence f(n- several minutes. Then she re-
'• The Duke of F.uckingham gone,— 1 now know why and by
wdiose means.-- L thought I should have ivc.vered my tran-
(piillity. Not at all. P.ehold. .Monsieur fouml anoth.-r \m-
text ; behold — "" , .
ilavfullv. '■ another iire>ents hiiu-
ynu arc beautirul. Mailame ; you
He
'• I'x'liold,"" said the King,
self. .\nd tl'.at was natural
will always be admired.'"
•■ 111 tliat case."" said the
princess, '• I shall make solitude
aroun.l me. That, indeed, is what is desired ; what in fact is
b.'in- i)repared for me. T.ut im. i piefcr to return to London.
There I am known and appre.'iated. I shall have my friends
without fearin- that t.liev will be called my lovers. Shame.
It is an unwculhv suspiiauu. and nu the part ot a gentleman.
THE MEDIA ToR.
118
t"" .' Oh. .Mnusipur has h.st
pvorythiiii,' in my ostiination
lias shown himself to mo as tlie tvraiit of
SIIICP
N
• Of
|». IK), mv
hi-otl
III villi' me
K'l' is i^iiiltv oiilv of 1
a woman.
-M
onsieur love ine
oviiii,' von.
.\h'. .S
ire
.Villi siie burst out, lauj,'hiii(T.
••.Mi.n>i,M.r will never'love"a woman," .said .she; " Monsieur
:?;:.';;.'"";' V"; '",!'■, ^''' "'""■■•""'^tely for ...e. Mons.eur-s
is till' Worst kind ot lealou
Ailiait. h
owever.
■iy ; jealousy without hne.
Ki'i'\\' iiiterestoil in tli
laid th
is chaiii'eal)]
..ill!.
who was be:.,diiuiii^r to
ami excitini,' conversation,
diiiil, however, that I)e (niid
Ml. Sire. I know nothing whatever about that.
le loves voii.
\
!i must see it. X man who 1,
• .\1. tie tJuiidie has not betrayed himself.
•Si.ster, sister, you are defending M. de t
es betrav.s himself."'
The id
■a! r.' Oh, .Sire, there v/as lack
riiiche
Illy a siisijicioii from
Xo. Mad
you.
ing to my trouble
y.iii are crviiii.
ne," said the King, hastily. •• L)
calm yourse
ud yet she wept ; great t
If, I
'o not worry. Oh.
imidon
tier ii
,, I .p, ,v. - , ears rolled down her (dieeks upon
mils. he king took one of her hands and kissed
tile tears. .Slu, looked at
wa^ CI
It to the 1
him so sadly and
\'
tl
leart.
itl
so s\v
way
ectly that he
•HI c'lre nothing lor De (Jiiieh
Kill wa:
suiteil to his role of mediator,
iiiithing. uothini
sai
d 1
le. more an.\iouslj
Tlien r can reassure my brother
1. Sire, notl
• ( >:
c. nothing will reas
l>o not Ixdieve that
sure lum.
haa advice, and he is
111' H lealou.^
M'
.M
III' mav well I
a restless teiniierament.
>nsieiir has received
clanie
)e so where you are concerned.
wi-
s eyes fell and she was silent. T
He still held her 1
lie K
ing did Jike-
laiiil
M
lie siieiice
if a
Illo!
iiii.ime gently wirhdi
u-'iit seemed that of a cent
'Urv.
sure o!
■•'w her hand. .Vfter tl
^r
lif'r triuiiipli. The battletield was li
lis s
he
wa.s
tl
vcrsation.
"ii-HMir complained,'' said the Kii:
society of certain individuals to 1
g, timidly, ■•that you
liui ami ills
Sire, ^r
onsieur spends his life look
"■'"'■ .and pilotting with the ("hevalier de" I
iiig at himself
coii-
111 a
'Viillien
irraine against
Vol. II. _ 8
114
7///; VICO.UTE DE BRAGELONNE.
SiiP, and you will
" Oh, vnu are goinj,' a little too tav.
"I sav what is true. Look for y<
see that I am ri^'ht."' ,•,•.• , t
" 1 will d.) so, but in the meantiiue what satista.tiou can i
give my brother '.' ''
" Mv departure." . , .-
« Vnu repeat that word?" orie.l the King, imprudently, as it
.lur.u" the past ten minutes such a change had been pro.lueed
„„ M,a.lame that all luu- ideas were alter..!
<.Sire I can no h.n-er be happy here," said she. " M. <le
(Jau'^he annoys Mousicur. WiU they send him away t.n, . •
.. If ueeessarv, whv not," replied Louis Xn ., snnhng.
"Well, after' .M. de ( iui.die — who... for that matter 1 warn
you 1 sliould regret."'
« \h! Vou wnuld regret him? ■' ,..•,,■,■
uofnmrse; he is amiable, he professes Iriendsh.p for me,
and he amuses me.' . , , t- i
• Vh if Monsieur were to hear you ! " said the King, piqiie-l
u Do" y.'u know that 1 wiU not undertake to reconcile you . i
shall not even attemi't it." ,, • f i ;„„
u Sire, at this late date can you preventMonsieur fr.n.i ben g
jealous of the tirst comer? I know very well that M. de
(J niche is not the first."' ,, „ r i, .n Uoto \r-
" Again ! I warn you that as a good brother I shall liate M
'^'.J'vh'^sire," said Madame, "do not, I beg. assume either
N[,n;sieur"s hatred or his sympathies. Remain King. Ihat
will be better tor you and for every one else.
"Vcu are an adorable jester an.l I understand that e%en
those at whom you mock adore you."' .,,,,,„ , .„■, .„,. ..
<• And that, Sire, is why you, whom I might have had toi a
defender, are' going to join the ranks of those who persecute
me."' said Madame. , • , , „
'. 1 your persecutor ? Heaven forbul . , , , „
-Then." she continued languidly, "grant what I ask.
•' What is that ? "
" To return to England."' .
« That ! Oh. never, never ! " cried Louis AiV.
<' I am a prisoner, then.
" lu France, yes."
«' What must I do ? "
"Sister, 1 s'lall tell you."
I
I
THE MEDIA TOR.
115
r shall listen to your Majpsty like a humble servant "
"Instead of indul-in- in somewhat reckless intimacies,
instead ot alarmm- us by isolating yourself, let us see von
;d\vays ; do not leave us, live amont; us. Certainlv M.' de
(iuiehe is amiable; but aItlioiin;h we have not his wit—"'
•• ( )h. Sire, ycni well know that you are too modest ! '"
"Xo, I swear. One may be Kinf,^ yet feel himself that ne
has less chanee ot pleasin<,' than sueh and such a -'entle-
lllUII." "
" I am i)ositive, Sire, that you do not l)elieve a single word
111 what you aie sayin<if."
'I'he King looked at Madame tenderly.
•■ Will you promise me somethinL' ? "'said he
hat .
•' \ot to waste the time which you owe to us in y(mr room
with strangers. Would you like to form with me aii alliance,
defensive and offensive, against the common enemy ? "
•• An alliance with you, Sire ? "
" \\hy not ? Are you not a jjower ? "
" I!ut you, Sire, are you a faithful ally ? From what day shall
tins alliance date ? "
'• i'rom to-ilay."
'• And I am to draw up the treaty ?"
" ^'<''T Soo'l ! "'
" And you will sign it ? "
" I^lindly."
" ( >h, in that case, Sire, I can promise you wonders ; you are
tlic star ot the court when you appear "
" Well :' " J i-i.
" Kverything shines."
•■Oh Madame. Madame!" said Louis XIV., "you well know
tiiat all light comes from you, and that if I take the sun for a
iiHittoit IS only an emblem."
••Sire you flatter your ally. So you wish to deceive her '? "
sai(I .Madame, shaking her rebellious finger at the King.
•• \\hat! you think I deceive you when I am assuring you of
liiv affection ?" & j uui
"•' Yes."
" What lias made you doubt ? "
"<)!ie thing."
'■ Only one?"
•• res!"
.11
-^fH^H
i
' '^^^^^^^H
M
m
i^^H
Bg:-T
'- '^HHHjJI
i
i ■
' i^^B^^^^^^^I
lit;
77//;
iroMTi:
HE nK.\<:i:i.i>\s'i:.
" What one
thiiii;
lliiulll 111' V
,('vv wrrtclii"! 11
(1 not ron.
nuer ow
This is not m your p
pwor, Nirt'
t is not ovf'ii HI
(i(Hr
lowcr.
What is It?
'Till' ])ast.
Madame, I -lo not una.M-stana," sai.l the Km.'. .iu>r I.Tuuse
he had understood too well.
The princess took his hand.
.. Sire" said she, •• I had the uiisfortune to disjdease yon s,,
long a-o' that I have almost the ri-ht to ask myself to-day how
you''e<mld ha-e accepted me as a sister-iu-law.
•• Displease me ! you ! "
'• Come, do not dfiiv it."
•• But 1 must."
•• No. no: I will recall it to you."
..Our j.lhance dates from to-day," cried the Km;.,', with a
warmth that was not fei-ned : -you shall unt recall the ,.as
anv m..re ; nor shall I ; but I shall remend.er the present, i
have it before me ; here it is ; look ! " , . , , ,
Vnd he led the princess to a mirror, m which she saw tier-
self blushin<^' and beautiful enout,'li to <'aptivate a saint.
" It is all' the same." she murnmred ; " it will not be a very
worthy alliance." i n „ .,,„„
'< Must I swear?" asked the King, carried away by the tuin
the conversation had taken. . , ,r i .i\^\.
"Oh, I uever refuse a good oath, said Madame: it is
always a M'liiblance of security."
The Kin-' knelt on a footstool and took M;idame s han( .
She with a smile which a painter could not have rendered
and a poet could not imagine, gave him both her hands, in
which he hid his binning face.
Neither could utter a syllable. .
The King felt ^Fadaine withdraw lier hands, caressing his
face He arose at imce and left the ai)artment.
The courtiers noticed his color and concduded that the scene
had been a stormy one. P.nt th- Chevalier de Lorraine
hastened to say : . .^„ • „. .
" Oh, no, gentlemen, reassure yourselves. W hen his Majesiv
is angry, he is pale."'
THE ADVISERS.
ir
chaptp:r XV.
THE ADVISKK:,.
TiiK Kiiif,' loft :\ra(laiue in a state of agitation which Jie
liimself would have lieeii at a loss to aceouiit f.ir. It is ijn-
|».ssil)le, ill faet, to explain the seen-t pl.iy "f tl.ose strange
s; ipathiis which suddenly and without apparent cause are
arouseil after nuuiy years passed in the greatest calmness and
.nditference by two hearts destined to love each other.
Why had Louis formerly scorned, almost hated, Madame '.'
Why did he now find this woman so beautiful, so desirable "
and why not only did he think of her, but whv did he think
ot her so constantly ? AVhy, in short, had Madame, whose
eyes and miiid were sought for in another direction, shown
for the King during the last week a semblance of favor which
implied a more perfect intima<'y.
It must iKjt be supposed that Louis proposed to himself a
plan of seduction; the bond which united Madame to his
hr.ither was or at least seemed to him an insu{ierable barrier;
Ih" was even too far from that barrier to jierceive that it ex-
i-ted. P.ut on the slope of those passions in which the heart
rejoices and towards which youth imjiels us, no one can sav
where lie will stop, not even the one wlio in advance has
<alculated all the chances of his success or failure.
As for Madame, her fancy for the King mav easily be e.\-
1 'lamed • she was young, coqrfettish, and passionately foml of
admiration. Hers was one of those impetuous natures which
111 a theatre, would leap over glowing coals to win a shout of
atiplause from the audience. It was not surprising, therefore
that having been adored by Luckii.ghatn and De (iuiclie. who
uas superior to Buckingham, eveu if it were only from that
L,Meat merit, novelty, so thoroughly appreciated by women,—
it was not surprising, we say, that the princess should raise
tier ambition to the point of being admired by the King, who
not only was the first person in the kingdom, but one of the
Handsomest and cleverest. As to the sudden passion of Louis
t'ir his sister-in-law, physiology would explain it by comnion-
I'lace reasoning, and Nature by some of her mysterious affini-
ties. Madame had the most beautiful black eyes in the
n-orld; Louis the mcst beautiful blue ones. Madame was
m
lis
Tin: vicoMTH !)!■: nn \aKLnxsE.
,nen-v ;uul uiiivs.tv.mI ; L.uiis luflanclioly and dilh.lcut. S.nn-
,n,)unl to i.i.M.t ra.h other tor tl.o tirst time on the k'iouikI ut
int.-rest and coninion cnriosity, these two ojiposite natures were
intlu.'need by the eontact of their reeii-roeal contradi tions ot
eliaraeter. On his return to his room, Louis reah ,ed t..at
Madame was the most fascinating' woman at court. Ma(hime,
when ah)ne, was happy intho tlionght that siie had produced
a (hep impression on tlie Kin;,'.
I'.ut this sentiment with her must remain <puet, wliih" witli
the Kin^' itcouhl not fail to act with all tlu' vehemence natural
to the passionate temi.erament of a youn>,' man, and ol a young
man who had only to wish m order to s.-e his wishes carried
In the iirst place, the King announced to Monsieur that
everything was calmed ; that Ma.hune felt f(u' liim the greatest
respect the most sincere affection; but that she was of a
hau-hty character, ever (piick to take oiience, and that her
senritiveness must be carefully considered. Monsieur replied
in the mild tone he usually took with his brother that he
could not very well consi.ler the sus(;eptibilities of a woman
whose conduct, in his opinion, gave rise to censure, and that if
any one had a right to be wounded it was he, Monsieur, and
without doubt he had this right. .
The King said hastily, which proved the interest he took m
his sister-in-law :
'• Madame is above censure, thank (iod 1 "
" The censure of others, yes, I admit that," said Monsieur ;
" but not above mine, I presume."
Well," said the King, " I wish to say tliat Madame s con-
duct doe's not deserve your censure. She undoubtedly is a
careless and strange young woman, but she professes the best
feelings The English character is not always thoroughly
understood in France, brother, and the li\)erty of English
manners st)metimes surprises those who do not know to what
extent this liberty is the outcome of innocence."
" Ah," said Monsieur, more and more piqued, " from the
moment your Majesty absolves the wife whom ^ I accuse, the
wife is guiltless and I have nothing more to say."
" Brother," resumed, the King, <iuickly, hearing the voice ot
conscience, which was whisnering in his heart that Monsieur
was not entirely wrong, "brother, wliat I do and what I say
is for your happiuess. I heard that you had complained ot a
THE ADVISERS.
119
I;i(k of confidonco or respect on the p.-irt of MadaiiiP, and I
.lid nut wish your anxiety to be prolon-t.d. It is part of my
duty to watch over your liouse as over that of luv hunihh-st
subjects. I tlierefore saw witli the greatest jileasure that
\i)ur fears were groundh'ss.'"
" .Vnd," continued Monsieur, in an interrogative tone, fixing
his eyes up.ui las Ijrother, " wli.it your .Majesty lias discovered
for Madame — and I bow before your royal wisdom — have
you also verified for those who have be.m the cause of the
scandal of which I complain '.•' "
" Von are right, brother," said the King. •• I will look into
this."'
These words contained an order as well as a consolation.
The prince felt this and withdrew.
As for Louis, he went to find his mother; he realized that he
liad need of a more complete absolution than that which he had
just received from his brother.
.\inie of Austria had not for M. de (}ui(die the same reasons
tor indulgence which she had had for Buckingham. She saw
at the first words that Louis was not disjjosed to be severe ; she
was so dispo.sed. It was one of the usual ruses of the gooil
queen to succeed in knowing the truth.
r.ut Louis was no longer serving his apprenticeship. Already
lor almost a year he had been King, and during this time he had
learned how to dissemble.
Listening to Anne of Austria in order to let her disclose all
her thoughts, giving approval only by look or gesture, he be-
<'ame convinced from certain piercing glances, from certain
skdtul insinuations, that the queen, so clear-sighted in matters
of gal' ntry, liad, if not guessed, at least suspected his weakness
lor M.. .ime.
Of all his auxiliaries Anne of Austria would be the most im-
l'"rtant; of all his enemies Anne of Austria would be the most
'l.ingcrous. Louis, therefore, changed his tactics. He accused
Madame, absolved Monsieur, listened to what his mother had
to say ol De Guiche as he had listened to what she had said of
l>nckingham. Then when he saw that she thought she had
.i^Miued a complete victory over him he left her.
_ The whole court— that is, all the favorites and intimates, and
tncy were many, since there were already five masters— as-
sembled m the evening for the ballet.
This interval had been occupied by poor De Guiche in re-
'(I
in:
vici'Mii: hi: iii:.\<;KU>\\i:.
.•oivin- M'lno visits. Ai.onu' tlu- iiuiuht'r \v;is mu' winch iii-
vnlvi-.TiiliiKist ('.|u;illv Ins iKipfs aiid tfiirs. It was that of
til,. < hc\aiiiT di' l.on'aiiH'. About thivo (.•(•h.ck in tho attcr-
I, il,r .li.-valicr eiitfixMl De (Iniche's ruoius. His looks
wfic iiiiist irass)iriiiK.
MuiisMur. said he tn D.- ( iui(die, was iii siileiidid liuinor
;,,id , i:.' vvniild have said that the slightest cloud had passed
,,v.-r the roujuijal sky. IVsides, Monsieur had so little ill-
tcclillL^'. .
l"or a loll'' time past the chevalier had (h-'cided that ut ttie
two sons ot'' Louis Xlll. Monsieur was the one wiio had iii-
herited his father's character, an uncertain, irresolute disposi-
tion ; i,'ood by tlaslies, bad at bottom, and certaiidy of no
account to his friemls.
He (dieered I >e (Juiclie especially by pointing: out to !""•
that Madame would soon succeed in niaiiat,'ing her Inisha. .,
anil that conseipiently one who succeeded in governing Ma-
dame would ultimately govern Mcmsieur.
To which De (iuiche, full of mistrust and presence of mind,
replied :
■' Ves. (dievalier, but 1 believe Madame is very danger-
ous."
" In what resjiect '.' "
•• In that she has perceived that Monsieur has no very pas-
sionate feelings for women."'
'• That is true," said the chevalier, laughing.
" And then — "
"Well?" , ^,. , ,
<■ Well, MacUime will choose the first comer as the object of
her preference in order to win back her husband through
jealousy."'
" Deep ! deep ! " exclaimed the chevalier.
" But true," replied De Guiche.
And neither was expressing his real thought.
While De (iuiche was thus attacking Madame's character he
was mentally a.sking lier forgiveness from the bottom of his
heart. , , ,.
While admiring De (xuiche's jienetration the (dievalier was
leading him blindfolded towards a precipice.
De (iuiche th. n cpiestioned him more directly upon the
effect produced by the scene of the morning and upon the still
more serious result of the scene at dinner.
Tin: ADVISER.^.
\1\
" AVhy. I liavo alroady told you lliat tlif-y arc laiit^'liiii-; at it,''
rcplifil till' olu'valitT. "and Monsieur most of all."
•■ Aim! yet.'" liazardcd Ih- (JiiiclH". '• tlioy spoko to inn of a
visit till' KiiiLf paid Madanu'."
•• Vfs, exactly ; .Madame was the only one wliodid not laii^'h,
and the Kin^' went to her in onler tu make her do so."
•• So tiiat — "
•• So that notldn;.; is(han},'ed in the arran|,'ement of tlie dav."
" .\nd they are to repeat the ballet tliis evening.'"
" ( 'ertaiiily.'
" \'ou are s'.ire ? "
" IVrfectly."
At this point in the ronversation between the two youni^
men Kaoid entered with anxious hrow.
"II perceivin,'.,' him. the chevalier, who had a secn>t dislike
I'lr him as for every nohle (diaracter. rose.
■• Von advise me, then '.' " demamh'd De (Juiche of the cheva-
licr.
•• I advise you to sleep in peace, niy dear count."
" .\nd 1, l)e (Juic'he,'" said Raoul", •' will give you e.xaotly
opjiosite advice.''
•• What is it, my friend ? "'
" To mount your horse and set out for one of your estates ; on
your arrival, if you wish to follow the advice of the idievalier,
ynu will sleep as long and as (juietly as it may please you to
ilo so."
•• What, go away?" cried the chevalier, feigning surprise.
" Why should De Guiche leave ? "
• Hecause, — and you especially ought not to be ignorant of
tliis, — because every one is already talking of a scene which
has passed between Monsieur and be Guiche."
De Guiche turned pale.
" Not at all," replied the chevalier, " not at all '. You have
l>eeii wrongly informed, M. de Hragelonne."
••On the contrary, I have been correctly informed, monsieur,"
ivplied Raoul, "and the advice I am giving De Guiche is that
of a friend."'
During this discussion De Guiche, somewhat alarmed, looked
alternately at one and the other of his advisers. He inwardly
t>>lt that a game, important for the rest of his life, was being
I'layed at that moment.
•' Is it not true," said the chevalier, interrogating the count
rjj
////; \i'ii\iii: I'l: i:i; \<.i:i.<>\\i-:
\m
!(««'
tli;ui V"", clicMi-
himsflf, " is it imt tni<'. 1 >»■ (iiiicli". tli.il tli.- >(<mic w.is iint so
stnniiy as tlif Vii-.unt.' .1." r.ra^,'cl<.iiiM' sfcnis tn llniik '." \\nvr-
iiVtT, lu' wa;> lint tllt'li'."
•• MuiisitMir," ptMsistfd Uamil. •• stormy or unt.it is imi cx-
iivtlynttlu'scciM- tliat 1 am spcalxiiik'. hut ..f its j.ossilil.' rrsnlls.
1 know tliat Mdiisi.Mu- has tlirfattMii'd ; 1 kimw that Maii.i
has <'rif(l."
" Maihuiio crixl'.' " •'xrlaiini'd 1 >»■ (iimlir iiui-rudfiitly. clasp-
iiiLf his hands. , i
"All!" said tlic ilifvalicr. laii-hiir,'. •• In-ri' is a ih'tail '■!
whicli 1 \vasij,'nniaiit. \iiii an' rcitaiiily licltcr iiitniiufd tliaii
I, M. dt' r.rau'<"l<>niif."'
•• And it is iMM-ausc I ;iiii licttcr iiifuiiiH'
litT, that I insist on I)t' (iuiclM'^s h'aviiii,', '
••No. no; 1 ifi^rft at iiaviiii; to rontradift you. monsieur,
hut lliis (h'liartnit' is iisricss."
•• It is ui;^'('nt.''
'• Milt whv sliouhl ln' h'ave'.' Coiiie."
'• \> iiy, till' Kiii.L,' — "'
<' The Kin^''.'" cried I)e (iniche.
<• Why, yes; I tell voii the Kin^' has this at heart."
" Bah: '" said the chevalier, "the Kiiif,' likes P'> (Juiche, and
was esiieeiallv fond of his father ; reflect tliat if the count
were to h'ave," it would lie admitting that he has done some-
thins reprehensible."
"How so?" .■■,,.
" When one runs away, it is because he is guilty or afraid. ^
"Or because he is otf'eiuh'd, like a man \vron>,'ly accused,"
said liragelonne. " Let us give lor his de))artuie the motive
of offence ; nothing is easier ; we will say that we both did our
best to keep him, and you at least will not be lying. Come,
come, l)e (luic.he, yon are innocent; the scene of to-day must
have wounded you. (lo away, De (Jiiicue."
••No, De (Juiche, remain," said the chevalier, "as ^I. de
Uragehmne said, because you are innocent. Your jiardon tmee
again, viconite. but my opinion is exactly the opj.osite of yours."
*• You are free to keep it, monsieur : but mark well that the
exile which De rjuichc will impose on himself will be of short
duration. lie can end it when he phrases and, returning from
voluntary exile, will find a smile on every lip, while on the
contrary the ill-tenii)er of the King may rouse a storm the
length of which uo one would dare predict."
77//; M)V!si-:rs.
V2:\
'I'lic clu'Viiliff siiiiU'd.
••/..imds: tliat is just what I want." ht. iiinriiiuivd in a low
h'llf to llllllM'lf, slinii,"^'ilii,' \\\-i slinulilfis.
Tins inuv.'iiifiit (Inl imr c^cmi,,. tlit' rnunt, u im tcircl t!iat
il he l.'lt the cimii he wiuilil >.cfia to l.c \ idilin" toa scntiiiifiil
ni tear,
" N... Ill)'" lir cTi.-d. "It 1^ -l.-.-iili'il. I sli;,il stay, lirai,'.'-
iMiinc."
■• I am a iiiuiihct,'" said It. mill, sadly. •• M islnrtiiiM" will iic-
tall yoii. I>t! (iiiiilic."
" I, loo. am a prophet, hut not a prophet, (d' evil ; so I say to
_\ mi, roiiiit, rt'iiiaiii."
• Arc you sure that the lialh't will take place '.'" asked !)•>
(iuiclic.
" C^'iiite sure."
•• Well, you see. liaoiil," irsiimed ] ),. (Iiiiche, trvini,' to smile,
•\\<iu see thai a court at whicdi danciiii,' is carried'on^so as-idu-
'iiisly IS not a very sombre court or one rpad_\ to eni.u' into in-
ternal dissensiuns. Von must ackiiowledije that, llaoul.'
ilaoul shook his lieail. •• I have nothing' turtiier to say,"
said iie.
•• i>ut,'" impiired the (hevalicr, curious ti. .liscover whence
Kaoiil liad obtained his iiifuriiiation. the truth of which lie was
tiiiced to admit, " you say you are well-inlormed, monsieur ; liow
call you be more so than 1, who am one of the prince's most
luiiinate friends '.' '"
•• Monsieur," replied Kaoiil, •• I bow before sik ii a declara-
tion. \'ou ()UL,dit to be perfectly W(dl informed, I admit, and
as a man of honor is incapalile of stating,' auythin,:: that he does
not believe 1 shall keep silent, confess my.self defeated, and
leave you the battlefield."
Whereupon Kaoul, like a man wh,) seems to desire only rest,
threw liimself into a deep armchair, wiiile tlie count called his
itieiidants to help him dress.
The chevalier realized that time was .slippinj,' away and
"ished to leave, but feared that Kaoul, left alone with De
'i niche, miL,'ht i)revail on him to change Ids mind.
Therefore he used his last resource.
'Madame will be resplendent," said he. " She appears to-
i!ay in her costume of Pomona."
•* Tiiat is true ! " exclaimed the count.
"Yes,'" continued the chevalier, "and she lias j .st given
1-24
THE VICOMTK DE BRAGELONNE.
tliat effect. V(»u kiu)\v, monsieur, the Kin^' is to
orders ti
appear as Spring.'"
'• It will be ailniir
reason tor remaining
I am to be Auriimn an(
able,"' said De (iuiehe. "And a better
tlian any yon have given is the fact that
1 shall dance with Madame ; 1 cannot go
awav wi
u
thout the King"s orders, for my departure won
Id break
p the ballet." , ,.
"And 1,"" said the «dievalier, "am to be a simple /v,'////"»)
It is true that I am a poor dancer and that my limbs are not
well formed. Au revoir, gentlenuui.
Do not forget the basket
jf fruit which you are to i)resent to Pomona, count ^
"Oh, 1 shall forget nothing, you nuiy be suns" san
Guiche, delighted.
1 De
I am perfectly sure now
thac he will not leave," mused the
chevalu
r as he went out
The (dievalier gone,
Kaoul dul not even attempt to dissuade
his friend ; he felt it would be lime thrown awav
• ("ouiit,"' said he to him in
his sad and melodious voice.
vou are embarking iu a
terrible enterprise. I know you
always go to e.vtremes ; the one you love does the same.
Welf, I admit for the time being that she may lo .
Oh. iH
•ver! ■■ criet-l De Guiche.
" Whv do vou say ' never ' '.' "
" Heciiuse it would be a great misfortune for both of us."
" In that case, my dear friend, instead of regarding you as
simplv imprudent, permit me to consider you as mad."
"Why?""
'• Are you very sure, now, answer me frankly, that you desire
nothing from the one you love ? "'
" Oh, yes, very sure."'
" Then love her from afar."
" llow do vou mean, from afar? "
" What diil'erence does it make to you whether you are pres-
ent or absent since you desire nothing from her ? Love a
portrait, a memorv-"
"Kaoul!'" , . „ ,
" Love a shadow, an illusion, a chimera; love love itselt, only
giving a name for your ideal. Ah, you turn aside ycjur head.
Y-jur servants are "coming, I shall say nothing further. In
good or bad fortune, De Guiche, count on me."
" Kest assured ' do."'
THE invrsF.Rs.
125
" Woll, tliat is all I have t
liwk well, I)e Gniclie, make
o say to }()
Mak
e joursei
we
11.
Durself look vour best. F
f
are-
•■ Voii are not coining back to the ballet, viconite Y "'
•■ No, I have a visit to make in town, (rood-bye, l)e (luiche
j^ood-byc." ' '
The reunion took place in the Kinj^'s apartments, hi the
iirst place there were the queens, then Madame, then some
cliosen hidies of honor and a goodly number ot courtiers, also
cliosen, who spent the time before the dance conversing as one
could converse iu those days. None of the hidies wiio had
been invited wore th" costumes of the fete as the chevalier
had p.redicted, but there was a good deal of talk about the
rich and ingenious costumes designed by different painters for
the ballet of the demi-gods. Tliis was "the name gi'-en to tlie
King and the queent; for whom Fontiineblcau was goiiH' to be
the ]iantheon. "
Monsieur arrived hohling in Ids. hand tlie design which
n-pif-sented his co.stume ; he. still looked somewhat an.xious ;
liis salute to the young Queen and to his mother was full of
'ouriesy and affection. He l)owed in the most cavalier man-
ner to Ma.laine, then turned on his heel. This action ami his
cnldness were noticed by all.
M. de Guiche indemnitied the princess by his i)assionate
glance, and on raising her eyes Madam.-, it must be confessed,
returned it with interest.
'''ever had De Guiche looked so handsome; Madame's
glance had in some way illumined the face of the son of the
M.irechal de Graminont. The sister-in-law of the King felt a
storm brewing above her head ; she felt also that duriiK' the
day so fruitful in future events she had committed an injn'stice
d nut an acr, of grave treason towards one who loved her with
■-^o iinuli ardor and j)assion.
I'lie moment seemed to her to have come to render an ac-
'^ount to the jioor victim of this injustice of the morning
■Madame's heart was ihen speaking the name of De Guiche.
I lie count was sincerely jiitied. therefore he won over all
others. It was no longer a question of Monsieur, of the
iviiig. or of the Duke of Buckingham. De Guiche rei<nied
supreme. '^
Monsieur, too, was very handsome, although it was im-
possible to compare him with the count. It is well known —
12n
THE
VfcoMTi: nr: i;'?Ai.j:L'^.\Nr..
M-
ium
all wunion say so - that thovp is ra-,v.iys a ^reat -lifferenre
between the i.eauty of a hushand and that ot a lovei-.
But in tlH! inesent case, alter Monsieur was <,'nne alter his
courteous and ailectionate salutation to the young Queen a.ul
to the (lueen mother, alter his eareless and indiih. -nt reeog-
nition of .Ma.lanie whi.'h had been noticed by all the courtiers
-all these motives, we say, gave the lover the advantage over
the husband. . , ,„ . •,
Monsieur was too ureat a personage to consider suchadetail.
There is nothing so efficacious as a well-founded idea of superi-
ority to prove the inferiority of the man who holds an exalted
ooinion of himself. , • .i
The King arrived. Every one looked for events in the
glance which was beginning to move the world, like the brow
of Juj)iter Tonaiis.
Louis ^ad none of his brother's melancholy. He was
radiant. Having examined most of the designs which were
shown to him on' every side, he gave his opinion or his criticism,
and by a single word mado some happy and others miser-
'^ Suddenly his glance, which was smilingly directed towards
Madame, noticed'the mute correspondence transpiring between
the orincess and the count. The royal lips were compressed,
and\vhen they were again opened to utter a few common-
places he said, advancing towar.ls the queens:
" :Mesdames, I have received word that everything is pre-
pared according to mv instructions at Fontaincbleau.'
V murmur of satisfaction arose from the groups. 1 he King
read on ev(>ry face the great desire to receive an invitation to
the festivities.
" I shall leave to-morrow," he added.
Profound silence reigned among those ])resent.
.' And 1 inviic." added the King, ■• all those who are here
to make themselves ready to accompany me. "
A smile illuminated every face. M.msieur s alone retained
its look of ill-humor. ■ i x e ^
Th.ucui.on ihe lords and ladies defiled successively befoie
the King, hastening to thank his Majesty for the great honor
of the invitation.
^Vhen it was Dc (luiche's turn :
.' Ah. monsieur,'- said the King to him. " I did not see you.
The count saluted. :Madame grew pale.
THE ADVISERS.
Vl'i
Dp Ciiiclic was alumt to dpcii liis lips to frame Ids thanks.
'•Count,' said the Ring, -this is tii.' time of tlu; second
sdWuiL,'. 1 am suiv that your farmofs in Xonnandy will sec
you wiih pleasure un your estates,"' after whiidi hrutal attack
Louis turned his back upon tlie unfortunate man.
It was I)e Guiche's turn to <j;row pale; he took two stej.s
towards the Kin j,', forj^jettinj,' that one never speaks to majesty
witiiout haviuf^ l)een tpu'stioned.
•• I do not (piite imderstand," lie stammered.
The Kiiiu: turned his head sli,i;htly and with a cold and iixed
t,'!ance, which j.ierced like a relen'tless sword the hearts of
those in disgrace, repeated, slowly pronouncing the words one
by t)ne :
'• I sai<l your estates.''
A cold ])erspiration mounted to the eou!it's brow ; his hands
o|iciicd and he dropi>ed the hat which lui was holding between
Ins Ireiiibling fingers.
Louis sought his mother's glance as if to show her that la;
was master; he sought liis brother's triumphant look as
iliough to ask if his vengeance was to his liking. Lastly
his eyes fell upon ^fadame, who was sunliiig and talking
with Madame de Noailles. She had heard nothing, or rather
h:i(l pretended to hear nothing.
The Chevalier de Lorraine looked on also with one of those
glances of enmity that seem to give to a man's eye the power
ol a lever when it raises an obstacle, wrenches it awav. and
hulls it to a distance.
-M. de (Juiche remained alone in the King's cabinet; every
one else had departed; before the eyes of the wretched man
shadows seemed to dance.
Suddenly he overcame the fixed despair which had hitherto
'loinui;ite<l him and hastened to shut himself up in his own
rouin. ill which Kaoul was still waiting immovable in his gloomy
prcsentinu'uts.
■• \\'c!l '."• murmured the latter, .seeing liis friend enter bare-
headed, with wild eyes and tottering gait.
" Ves, yes, it is true ! Yes — "
And unable to say more, De Guiclie fell i.rone upon the
So!, I.
•■ And she'.' " asked Ilaoul.
•• ^li|' ■' '■ exclaimed the unfortunate man, raising to heaven
a !iM rliiii-hed in anger ; '• she ? "
128
THE VICOMTE />/: liHAdELoSNK.
<' What aid sho say '.' "
" She said that her (hess was becoming."
" What did she th) '.' "
'• She hiiij^hed."
\nd a tit (d- wihl hiu-hter seemed to shatter the very ner,.'S
of tlie poor man. He tell back, completely overeome.
CHArXER XVI.
FON'TATNKIU.F.AII.
For four davs everv means of enchantment bnnirrht tngether
in tlie m;)-niti«'ent ijardens of Funtaineblean made the place one
of delii,dil. , , • .1
M Colbert looked after evervthin-. In tlie morning there
were the expenses of the night to be settled; dnnng the
(lav, programmes, essavs, enrolments, payments. M. ( olbert
had amassed four millions, and disposed of them with wis-
economy. He was frightened at the expenses to whicli myth-
olo-'V led Everv wood nvmph, every dryad, cost no less than
a hundred livres a day. The .•ostnine came to three hnn.lred
"what was consumed in powder and sulphur for fireworks
am.mnted everv night to a hun,lred tliousand livres Ihere
were, besides, iiluniinations on the edge of Uie lake, whicli coM,
thirtv thousand livres every evening.
Tl'ie fetes had been ma«j;niticent. Colbert cou.d not contain
himself for iov. Everv now and then he saw .Miidame and the
Kin" setting out im some hunting party, or for the reception
of fantastic personages, solemn occasions winch had been im-
provised a fortnight i.revious. and which showed olf Madame s
wit and the King's muuiticeiice.
Madame, the heroine of the festival, replied to the addresses
of the deputations from unknown races —* ;aranianthian>.
S.'vthians. Hvperboreans. Caucasians, and ratagonians, whn
seemed to issue from the ground for the purpo>e of congratu-
lating her; and to every representative of these peoples the
Kin'""ave a diamond or other article of value.
Then in verses m..re or less grotes<iue the deputies compared
FONTMNF.IiI.EAr
129
tlip King to tlie sun,Ma(lanio to I'hn-bp, tlic sun's sister. Tlse
ipifens and Monsieur were no more sjjoken of tiian if the
Imii;^' had married Henrietta of Knghiud. and not Maria Teresa
mI Austria. The hapjjy eoujile, haml in liand, impercfjitihly
|)rt'ssin<,' fingers, drank long draughts of tlie sweet beverage
mI a(hdation, by whiili youth, beauty, power, and k)ve are
fulianced.
Kvery one at Fontainebleau was surjirised at Ihe extent of
the intlueuee whicli Madame had aequired .so rapidly over
the King. Every one whispered that Madame was rea'llv tlie
ipieen. And in .sliort Louis proclaimed this strange truth by
his every thought, word, and glntice.
He formed his wishes, lie sought his inspirations, from Ma-
danie's eyes, and he was overeome with joy when Madaine
il-Mgned to smile. Was Madame Dn her side into.xieated by
lirr power on seeing the world at her feet '.' She herself could
not say, but what she did know was that she wished for noth-
ing, and that she felt jierfectly happy.
The result of all these changes, the source of which lav in
the royal wdl, was that Monsieur instead of being the seeontl
personage in the kingdom had really become the third. It
was much worse than when De (Juiche had had his guitars
lilayed in Madame's aiiartments. Then Monsieur at least had
the satisfaction of inspiri'.ig fear in the one who annoyed him.
l!ut since the departure of the enemy, who had been sent
:i'.vay by his alliance with the King, '.Monsieur had on his
shoulders a yoke heavier than before.
Kvery evening ]\ladame returned worn out.
Kiding. baths in the Seine, plays, dinners in the open, balls
"II the banks of the grand canal, concerts, all this would
have l>e<>n enough to kill not only a frail, slender woman, but
the most robust guard of the chateau.
It is true that at dances, concerts, and ])romenades a woman
i> much stronger than the most vigorous youth from the
thirteen cantons. Hut however great a woman's strength
may be, it has its linut, and it cannot hold out long against
such a system.
As to Jfousieur, he did not even have the satisfaction of
>-«^euig Madame abdicate royalty in the least. She lived in
the royal pavilion with the voung Queen and the (lueeu
iiii'lher. '
ll goes without saying that the Chevalier de Lcn laine did
Vol. Jl. —9
180
THE VICOMTE DE BRACELONNE.
\W
net leave MunsitMU-. but pcuml his (ln)i> of i.'aH int.. every
wound the hitter receivcii.
The result was that Monsieur, who at Inst luul l.eeu wholl.v
i.,vtul au.l happv over the ,1. parture of Deduuhe. sul.>uled
into n.elan.-holy "three .lays after the inslallal.on ..t the.'.mrt
at Fontainebh'au. . , , ,,
Now it hai.p.'ne.l tliat .m.' .lay, about two ...■h.ck. M..usH'ur,
who ha.l risen late, au.l who ha.l -ivn n,..r.' .•an. tliau
usual to his toilet, -^- it hapiKnuMl w say, that Mousuuir,
who ha.lhear.l iDthin^- spoken of for that .lay. .•on.eiv.'. the
hh.aof -atherin- his ourt alxjut htm au.l carrying,' .Ma.lau.e
off f.u- supper at Moret, where he ha.l a beautiful .-.anitry-
honse. ,
Aee.irdiu-lvhe set out to the pavili.Mi of th.' .pieens, an.l ..n
enterin-,' was -reatly astouishe.l at fin.ling no .me >A the n.yal
suite there. ^ i i ff
He went int.. the apartui.'ut ah.ue. .V <1.hu at th.' lelt
opeiu'.l int.. Ma.lame-s n.oni ; one .u. the ri-ht int.. the youn-
Oueeu's Monsieur learned from a serving-w..uian that e^eiy
one iia.l -..ne at eleven (.-cloek to bathe in the Snue, that a great
fi-te ha<i been made of the event, that all the carna-es had
been stationed at the gates .)f the park, and that they had all
been g.tue for ..ver an hour. • • i i
'• (iood : ■' said Mt.usieur ; " the idea is a hue ..ne ; it is dread-
fullv warm. 1 mvself shall be gla.l to bathe.'"
\ud he ealle.f his atten.lauts. None came. He went to
Madame-s apartments ; every ..ne ha.l gone. He turue.l to the
stables. A groom informed him that there were no earriagea
left in the carriage-houses.
He then gave orders for two lu.rses to be saddled, one lor
himself, the other for his valet. The gr..om replie.l ,.<.litely
that there were n.. horses either. M(.usieur, pale with anger,
went back to the Queen's rooms. He entered the oratory ni
Anne of Austria.
Through a half-drawn curtain he perceive.l his y<.uug sister-
in-law kneeliii- before the (pieen mother and aj.parently weep-
in- He had' been neither seen n..r heard. He approache.
the door gently and listened ; the sight of such grief arou.sed
his curiosity.
N.,t ..nly was the young Queen weeping, but she was com-
plaining too.
F(K\T.i/M:/if.i:.\i
131
'• Vfs," sli.« was sayiii'^'. '• the Kiiii,' iicijlt-.ts imp. tli.> Kiii;,'
llniiks Hilly (.f aiinisiii- liiiu.scli' and ol' these plcasuivs in which
I ilii iidt take part."
■• I'ati.Mu-c, patk'iice, my daii-liter/' n'[>Vwd Anno uf Austria
III Snaiiisli.
Thi'ii, still ill Spanish, slie added some words of advico which
Mdiisicur conld not nnderstand.
The (,>neen replied by accnsations niin<,'led with si^hs and
tears, anlon.^' whicli Monsieur ire(]ueiitiv distin-nished the
word ••/"///</,<,"• which .Maria Teresa enijdiasiz.'d' with an<'rv
si-iirii. " •
•• The hatlis," said .Monsieur to hiin.self, •• the baths. It
>epiins that it is the baths that have ma(h> her angry."
And he .strove to put to-^'ether the different wimls which 1)6
had understood. However, it waseasv to nr„pss that the Queen
was coniplainin- bitterly, and tliat if Anne of Austria was not
'■'•iis.ihiif; her she was at least tiyin„' to do so. Fearin" that
1h' would be di.seovered listening at the door, Monsieur <"ave a
Cllllgll, °
At the .sound tlie two (jueens turned.
Monsieur entered ; whereupon the young Queen ro.se hur-
riedly and (ii :^d her eyes.
.^b.Ilsieur knew his audience too well to ask any que.stion.s,
iiiid being too courteous to remain silent, lie bowed. The
(lueeii motlier smiled plea.santly at him.
" What do you want, my son ? " said slie.
" ^ \.~~ ""*'^''"g — " stammered Monsieur, " I was looking
•• Whom ? "
'• .Mother, I was looking for Madame."
" -Madame is at the baths."
"And the King?" said Monsieur, in a tone that made the
^.•iieeii tremble.
■•The King and the whole court are there as well," replied
A'liie (,f Austria.
• Without you, Madame ? " said Monsieur.
•• " Ml, 1." said the young Queen, " I spread a pall over all
w,iM rtie seeking pleasure."'
" I tiH). ajjparently," said Monsieur.
Anne (if Austria made a sign to her daughter-in-law, who
r;^tireil b.itlie.d in tears.
Monsieur frowned.
■^ -i):
m
m
Tin:
vicDMTi: !>/: iu:.\i.i:i.()SSh:
What do von think
who aic
you
" What a rI""'"}' '""•''6 I " saitl he.
of it, iiiotlier ■.' " ,.
•• Whv. no. pvory ono lioie is jilpasiue liunting.
" ()(hls-tisli: that is exactly what saddens those
bored bv ideasuie."'
" How you talk, my dear I'hilipi.e 1 "
•• Faitli,' mother, I say wliat I think."
" Explain ycjurself. What is the matter '.' "
'• Why, ask my sister-in-law, who just now was tellin<
all her troubles."
•• Her troubles — what '.' "
-Oh, I heard. Rv chance, I admit, but 1 heard, neverthe-
less. I 'distinctly heard my sister i iplaiuin- of Madame's
famous baths.''
•'Oh, nonsense!"
'•No, no, when one weeps one is not always silly. l lie
Queen said ' /ikhos.' l>oes not that mean baths '.' "'
•• I rei.eat, my son," said .Vnne of .\ustria, '-your sister-in-
law is ciiildishlv iealons."
"In that case. Madame," replied the i.rince, •■ I accuse my-
self very humbly of having the same fault that she has."
<• You tDo, my .son ',' "
"Yes."
" You too '.' you jealous of these baths ? '
" Certainlv."
" Oh ! " " , T ,
••The ideal The Kin-,' goes to bathe with my wife and
do"s not take tlie Queen.' The idea! Madame goes to bathe
with the King, ami thev do not inform me. .Vnd you expect
my sister-in-law to be content ? and you expect me to be con-
tent ? " . . •
'•Why, mv dear I'hilippe," said Anne of Austria, "you
exaggerate. 'You had M. I'.uckingham sent away, you have
exiled -M. de (xuiche ; do you want now to send the King away
from Fontainebleau '."■ , ai- i '•
'• Oh, I would not presume to have such a thought, Matlaine,
said Monsieur, bitterly. <• but I can withdraw, and I shall."
'• Jealous of the King I Jealous of your brother '. "
'. Jealous of my brother '. Jealous of the King '. Yes, Madame,
iealous : jealous I jealous ! "
" Well, MouMcur," oried Anne of Austria, pretending indig-
nation and anger, " I am beginning to believe you are mad and
Tin: /lA Tff.
l;',;5
;i sunrn t'licmy to uiy immcc. [ shall tlicipfon' leave tlic place
iii.^' inyscit' af,'aiiist such
VIl'Mlil'S.
iiavui'^' IK) means t>
tend
She tiiiishe(l s]jeakin,i,', raised tin
|iit'y to the iii()st violent v.v^r.
siei,'e. and left, Monsieur a
Hi
■itood
i\
ill.; hiniselr and
iound til
or a iiioiiP'nt conijiletely overcome, then re
siimmonini.
ins con
rat,'e 1
cover-
le returneil to the
-tal
iiir.>t'
ud
e ,i,n-oom, a;,'aiu demanded a carrias.
and
u the repeated reply that neither was to be had 1
MM/id :i whip from the haii<ls ot a stable 1
)o\-
and rusl
unir
af'te
the poor >,'room. in spite of his cries and excuses, beat liim ail
loiiiid the court-yard. 'I'hen exhausted, out of breath, drippiui,'
uiih perspiration, trendiliiii,' in t'very limb, he returned to his
"wu apartments. Mnashed his most beautiful jiorcelain, aiul
liiiallv, booted and spurred as he was, threw himself on his bed
shrieking " Help! ''
CHAI'TEU XVII.
THK liATH.
At Valvins, beneath the impenetrable arches of flowering
osiers and willows which, incliuini,' their green lieads, dip their
leaves into the blue waters, a long Hat boat, with ladders en-
'■!"-^cd in blue curtains, served as a refuge for the bathing
I 'lanas, who as they left the water were watched by twenty
I'lwnied Acta'ons, galloping eagerly and full of admiration along
tiic nu.ssy and perfumed bank of the river.
i'.ut Diana, even the chaste Diana, draped in her flowing
Hihimys. was less chaste, less impenetrable than Madame, as
,V"img and beautiful as the goddess. For, notwithstanding the
l"ii- timicof the huntress, her rouiul white knee could be .s"een ;
ii"t withstanding the sonorous (ptiver, her brown shoulders were
visil.le. While as for Madame, a veil wrapped around her a
"'iiidred times completely enveloped her as she returned to the
ii'iiis of her women and rendered her inaccessible to the most
iii'iiscreet as well as to the most penetrating gaze.
W hen she had ascended the ladder the poets who were pi'cs-
y;|'. — and all were i)oets when it was a question of Madame,
':"■ twenty poets who had been galloping about stopped, and
:-(
I
184
Tin: \-KoMTi-: i>i: Hii.\<ii:L<>s'Si-:
%
witli line lU'cord rru'i
but ix'iuls wliich wfH' ilri>i«lii
;iL'iun ill
1 out tliiit llifv weiv
not
troMi Maihiui''
iliojK of Wiitfr
ImxIv to 1(0 lost
till' li^U'l'V 1'^''''
Till- Kin^', till' I'l'U
iom;iL'i'. hmimpsi'i
I sil
nt'vri- st'i'iHi'il
t'VCll
:it ;i
cni'f on
. :inil
th
I nt this
(Iniircrs whose uiiii;^'iii;it ions
tnil ti'Mue of these ihyniestfrs ,ni
;i\va\'
thioii-h thesilki-nciiitams. the imvli
for tear ot otteiulini;.
"stv of tiie woiiian ami
the ilii,Miity of the iiriiiees.-
At onee tlirre was a i;re
it void in the srelie ai
(1 >ileni'i' in tht
1.
1-
roni the (
IV of tlie eurtaiiis.
fioni the iitiilulations of
their folds, one coil
Id ;4uess the roiiiiie-,' am
I th
'Oil
)f th
attemlaiits I'lr.
a,'eil in their liutie
'I'he Kile,' listened sniilin','ly to the rm
lar
ks of his courtiers,
hut one couli
(d sew he re.
In fact, scarci
l' see hv lookm- at him that his thou-hts were
Iv had the soui
d of f
le nil'-,'S I
haw II aloiifx the
poles told him that Madame was i
Iressed and that the ijoddess
as about to reappear,
than his Majesty retur-iei
1 at once
to the
liver haul
tl
le si'^'iial
to all whom duty or pleasure
ailed to Madame.
n
1'
eariia'.res
hiirri
d about leaditiL; horses by
bv the bridle
the
■.vhich had b.eu standin- uml'
rtlie trees were l)roii<,'ht
lear the tent ; then came a erowi
1 of valets, pmters, and women
ivho while their masters wen
bathiii'.'had been makin;^' their own
the fu(,'i-
observatioiis aside, t lieir criticisms, 1 heir msenssii
>al of that epoch of which to-day m.th.n- is renieni-
ttve journal m inai^ t-i""
bereii. even liy the waves
their eon vers
in iminensitv, as
which inirrorec
I the actors and eidioed
^tion — the waves, witnesses su
the actors have been h)st in infinity
bmer;,'ed by God
All the people erowdinix "P
nil
the banks of the river, nut to
speak of a Lrron
the Kin-x and the princess
p of peasants drawn
thither by a desire to see
most frood-natured crow
formed the iiios
ibh
t disorderly but the
d iimiLjinabh
The Kim,' disuiouiited, the courtiers imi
fered liis hand to Madame, whose rich
tated him. He of-
ridin<' habit set off her
fine ti^'ure,
of tine woo
sliowini,' to adv.anta^^fe
lieu embroidered in si
AV
SI
Her hair, still daini) an
hite neck. Joy and health s]
beneath that garment made
Iver.
1 blai'ker than jet, hunt;- over her pure
lar
kled in her beautiful eyes.
le was
Im,
dthou
di hiirhlv strung
and drew in
draiit,'hts of air under the em
by a page.
broidered parasol held over
lull
her
THE n.iT/r.
13.-
i
NdtliiUi, I'oiild Ikwc Im'OM inon- tt'inlcr. iiioio i^racofiil. nr iiiiiri'
|Miftic tluui tlidsc twu H^'iircs ill tin- j^'ldw cast, liv tlic msc-rul-
"HimI jiariisdl ; the Kiiii,' whost' wliitc teeth slidiie in ;i ciiiistaiit
smile ; Madame wlmse black eyes s|iaik!e(i like carlinncles in
the i^litteriii;,' reflection of the clianj,'eiil)le silk.
Madame rejudied her horse, an aiiimai <<i iiiau'iiiticeiit Aiida-
lusiaii hreed, sjxjtli'ssly white, soiiieuhat heavy I'eiliaps, hit
wilh a tine iiitellieent, head, ill wiiich the 'nixtiire of Arabian
iilood iiaiipily combined witli S|ianisli coiilri !,e readily traced, and
whose loiif,' tail swept tlie i,'roniid. Knt as the jirinci'ss feii,'ned
ilitliciilty in niountint,', the Kini^ lifted her in such a wav that
Madanie's arms tormed a cir( le (d' fire around his neck.
(In witiidrawin;,' Louis involniitarih touched with his lipn
ihr arm, which was not withheld. 'I'lien tiie princess thanked
her royal c([neriy and all sprang,' at once to saddle.
The Kiiii; and Madame drew aside to let the carria^'es, the
')ut riders, and the runners pass.
.\ :.,'oodly number of cavaliers, freed from tiie yoke of eti-
qiictte. i,Mve rein to their horses and darted after the carriai^es
which held the maiils of honor, as fresh as so many wood
ii\iii|ihs around Diana, and the wlrrlwind, lau!,diing, chatting,
iiiiisy, swept on.
Tlie King and Madame walked Mieir horses.
iiehiiid las Majesty and the princess. Ids sister-in-law, but
111 a resijectful distance, followed the serious courtiers (jr those
liiMi-oiis of being within reach or under tlie eyes of the King,
restraining their impatient steeds, regulating their ])ace accord-
iiil; to that ui the King and Madame, and giving themstdves
lip to all tlie sweetness and plea.sure found in the eonver.sation
"t clever iu'0]de who can with courtesy make a tliousaiid atro-
ciiiiis remarks about their neighbors.
Ill their stifled laughter, in tlie reticence of their sardonic
liiiiuor. Monsieur, the poor absent one, was not spared. I'lUt
till y pitied and mourned over the lotof I)e (Jiiiclie, and it must
!"• loiifessed that their sympatliy was not misjilaced.
However, the Kinganil Madame having allowed their horses
t" li:catlie. and having repeated a hundred times all that the
< "ill tiers had suggested to them, set off at a gallo]), and the deep
ulades (if tlie forest resounded under the tread of the company.
To conversation.s in- low tones, to remarks in the form of
I'ntidenees, to words exchanged with a sort of mystery, suc-
ceeded noisy bursts.
' . i
*f
1.%
Till. VK'oMii: hi: i.n \<ii:i.(>.\SE.
(iiiyt'ty sprriid fimii mitriiler to iiriiicc ; tlu' m;i^,'pi<»s ami tin-
jays tlfil a\v;iy witli their ^'iittmai iiics uiidcf tlif Icatv airlics
ot tin' valfs ; till' cllckuu illtrnii|ptcil ilis limiiotniii his civ III tilt'
depths of the woods; tiie ciiatliiirlies and t lie tomtits tiew in
coveys; while tiie deer Hed atriii,dited into the midst of the
thickets.
This crowd, spreadiic.,' as it went joy. noise, and Ir^ht aloii<;
its pass;i;^'e. w;is ]irececlcd, so to Speak, to the ch.'itiMu liy its
own cliiiiior.
The KiiiL,' anil Madame entered tin' town, lioth heiiiL; receded
by the universal actdamations id the throne's.
Madame hastened to find .Monsa'iir. She realized instimr-
tively that he had been too lont,' ex( luded from the festivities.
The Kill!,' went to rejnin the (|iieens. lie knew he owed ihein,
one at least, some conipeiisatioii lor his lon.n absence.
lint Mailame Wiis not rccei\eil by .Monsieur. She was told
that he w;is slcejiin;,'.
Inste;iil of meeting,' .Maria Teresa smiling as usual, the King
met Anne of .\ustria in the gallery, who, wateliing for his re-
turn, went forward, took him by the hand, and led him to her
own room.
What the queen mother said to I^ouis XI \'. will never be
known, imt one might easily guess it from the annoyed ex-
pression of the King at the close of this interview. Hut we,
whose mission it is to interpret as well as to impart our inter-
pretations to the reader, should fad in our duty if we left him
ignorant of the outcome of this interview. He will find it
sufti(dently developed, or at least we hope so, in the suceeeding
chapter.
CHAPTKR XVIII.
THK KUTIKKFLV CHASK.
Ov returning to his rooms to give sonit^ orders and to settle
his ideas, the Knig found on his toilet-table a little note, the
handwriting of wiiiidi seemed disguised.
He opened it and read, " ('t>iiif iiuicklii. I hm-r n thousand
t/iiiif/.t to fell ijou.'"'
There had not been a long eiujugh time since his Majesty had
77//; /i/-T7/:RF/.y en ask.
137
;-.,'l;: -'"----. «".":t,:i"S';;,;;;;L;i"it
i."I,Is\-'rv"';;', I::;',,"","'" t't' """''■ '«"■ '""■ •■'"
-aa heS 'Vr;T^ ^''^^.^ .'-t.uti„,„s a,..l Hin.bin,. roses,
-.n- to ]\Zn. themselves seeing those who had drawn
From this seat, on which the two had sat down, the Kin^
'-'Jc - Myn ot encouragen,ent to the hunters; then as i^ h|
f»-
i;;h
77//; VICOMTE Di: lH!A(,i:LO.\NK
\v»Mo talk ill, LT with M;u];uiui of tiic liiittcrHv traiistixed by a Rold
])iii aiid atlixcd tn liis hat :
" All' we not woll jtlacpd licro for talkiiii; '.' " said lie.
'■ Ves, Siio, tor 1 wanted to be hoard by you ahme and seen
by every one."
" And 1 too." said Loiiis.
" Did my note surprise you '.' "
'•Territied me! r.ut wiiat I liave tn say to you is more im-
portant."
" Oh, no ! Do you know that Monsieur lias closed his door
to me '.' "
" To you ! AikI wiiy '.' "
'•' Can you not ijiiess '.' "
" \\\'. Madame, bur in that case both of us hail the same
tiling to say to each other."
'• Wliat happened to you '.' "
'•Shall 1 be^Mii'.' ■'
'• \ es. 1 have told everythiiii,'."
'•Then it is my turn. Vou must know that on my return T
found ii)y mother, who took me to her own rooms."
'•tHi, the ipieen mother I" saiil Madame, anxiously, " it is
serious, then I ''
" I think so. This is what slie said to me. But in the first
place let me preface what I have to say by a remark."
"■ Speak, Sire."
" Has Monsieur ever sj)oken to you of me ? "
"Often."
" Has he ever spoken of his jealousy ? "
« Oh, more freijuently still."
"About me'.'"
"No, but about — "
" Yes. I know ; about Uuckingham and De Gniche."
" Exactly. ■•
"Well, Madame, >ronsieur is at present jealous of me."
" Sol " replied the princess, smilinf^ mischievously.
"And it seems to me that we have never given any rea-
son — ■'
" Never I at least I have not. But how did you discover
til. Monsieur was j(>alons ? "
" My mo*''er told me that Monsieur went to her room per-
fectly fuiious ; that he had a thousand complaints to make
against your — forgive me."'
THE BinTERFLy CHASE.
139
" Go on, go on."
" Vou ;iie very good, Pire."
'• My mi.tl.er reassurt-.l liin, ; but he pretended that he lui.l
h.-n reassured too often, an.l that he \unM not be so any
••Would it n.^ have been better for him nut to have been
anxious m the hrst plaee •.'"
" That is what I said."
•'Admit, Sire, tliat the world is ver- evil. What' einnot
a .rotifer and a sister talk together, enjoy each ^ItllS^sod "f
^^.'hout giving rise to comments and snspieions '.' For really
Mn>, we are doing no wrong, ami we have no wish to ,lo anv •'
She looked at the King with that prou.l, provokin.^ .dan'e
whi.di rouses desire in the coldest and wisest
'• No. that IS true," sighed Loui.s.
to n!!k;'r ^ir-> "7!'"' "'^'' '^ ''"' continues I shall be forced
" t ainly it is correct."
" < ttten alone, for we enjoy the same tilings, we nii-ht have
><-n led into er, . but have we been •.' I^^,; me, you a.-e a
hrother. nothing more." •"
Tlie King frowned. She went on •
" Vour hand which often comes into contact with mine, pro-
'lu . > no agitation or emotion - ^vhi..h lovers, for instance _ "
Oh . enough, en..ngh, I beg you ! - said the King, in p.iin
\ ou are pitiless and vou will kill me " ^
" Why ? "
J'_ Well, you say distinctly that you feel nothing when with
iiip
'• Oh. Sire. I did not say that ; nv affection — "
• Henrietta, enough, I beg of you again. If you think me
H.arble like yourself, undeceive vour.self." ^
•• I do not understand you."
'•Very well," sighed the King, loworing h eyes. « So our
;;;;; nigs our ..and.lasps, our glances -"fo^givi me, you ai^e
■■-I I, and [ know what vou mean."
He hid his face in his liands.
'•^Take care Sire," said Madame, quickly; " M. de l^.aint-
A.giuin IS looking at you." i - ' ^i^i^
140
THE VICOMTE DE BR A (IE LOWE.
"That is true I ■' oxolaiined Louis, PuraRed ; "never the
shadow of freedom, never any sinciM'itv among my friends. I
think I have found a friend, and he is only a spy —a friend,
and slie is i.othing but a sister."'
iMada'ue was silent ; her eyes fell.
" Monsieur is jealous!'" she murmured in a tone, the sweet-
ness and gentleness of wliieh were indescrihalile.
'•Oh," cried the King, suddenly, "you are right."'
" You see elearly,"" said she, looking at him in a most capti-
vating way, "you are free; you are not suspected ; the entire
joy of your house is not j)ois(.ne(l.""
" Alas, you know nothing a.'; yet ; the Queen is ji-nlous.'"
" Maria Teresa '.' "
" .Madly. This jealou y of ^[onsieur's arose from hers : she
wept, she complained to my uiothei-, she reproached us for
the bathing jnirties, whi(di were so sweet to me."
" .\nd to me.'" said Madame's eyes.
".Suddenly Monsieur listened, overheard the word '//nuns'
uttered with bitterness by the Queen; this enlightened him.
He entered frightened, mingled in the conversation, and (puir-
relled with my mother so bitterly that she had to leave him ;
so that you have to deal with a jealous husband, while I shall
have to see before me, constantly, inexorably, the spectre of
jealousy with swollen eyes, emaidated iheeks. and sinister
mouth."'
" Poor King! "' nnu'inured Madame, letting her hand wander
over that of Louis.
He retained it, pressing it closely ; but in order to avoid
arousing the curiosity of the spectators, who were not so en-
grossed in searching for l)Utterfiies as not to be on the lookout
for gossip as well, and to discover some mystery in the conver-
sation of the King and Madame, Louis raised the dying but-
terfly nearer to his sister-in-law. Bt)th leaned over to count
the thousand eyes on its wings and the grains of their gold
dust.
lint neither spoke : their hair touched ; their breath mingled;
their burning hands lay clasped. Thus five minutes passed.
IHf
?i#
CAUGHT IX THE BUTTERFLY CHASE. 141
CHAPTER XIX.
WHAT WAS CAUGHT IX THE BUTTERFLY CHASE.
TuK two young people remained for an instant with heads
bent under the twin thought of dawning love, whicli gives birth
to so many flowers in the imagination of twenty years of a-e
Madame Henrietta glaneed si<lewise at Louis. Hers was
one ot tliose well-organized natures which know how to reul
tl.en.se ves as well as to read otliers. Slie saw the l„ve in
Louis heart as a skilful diver sees a pearl on the bed of the
She saw that Louis vvas hesitating, perhaps in doubt, and
that this indolent or timid heart must be encoura-ed
•• And so?" said she interrogatively, breaking t"he silenc"
•'^^hat do you mean?" asked Louis, after waiting"^an
instant. *"
'• I mean that I shall have to return to the decision I made ''
" \\ hich one '.' '
"To the one I had already submitted to your Maiestv "
"^\llen was that'.'" "^ "
•fil<r"" ''''^ ''*" e.xplained matters in regard to Monsieur's
•'ni.at did you say to me that day?" aske.l Louis,
anxiously. '
•• J)o you not renember, Sire ?"
" Alas ! if it is some unhappiness, I shall remember it soon
enough. >-«jiJu
"Oh it is misfortune only for me, 8ire/' replied Madame
H<'iirietta; '• but it is nece.ssary.''
'• .\h ! Say not so ! "
"-•\nd I shall submit to it."
" Well, at least tell me what it is."
" Absence ! "
" Oh, still that wretched resolution ? "
"Sire believe me, I did not make it without struggline vio-
1-ntly with myself. Sire, it is necessary, realiv. fS me to
'>>t 11111 to England." "
•• < >1n never, never ! i shall not allow you to leave France ! "
' lied tlie King.
" And yet," said .Afadame, affecting a sweet, sad firmness,
4
142
THE VK'OMIE ni: I'.liAdKI.OXXE.
" anil yd, Sire, iidtliiiii,' is ukuo iiiiiinativo. Furtlifriiioie, I
am porsiiaclod tliat such is your luotlier's wisli."'
" Wish I " fried the Kiii.i;. •' ()h I vh I dear sister, that is a
straii<;e word to use to me."
" I5ut,'' replied .Mndanie Henrietta, smilinj^, " are you not
glad to carry out tlu! wisiu's ot a good iuotln>r '.' ''
" Enough, I beseech you ; you l)reak my heart."
" I ? ''
" Vva; you sjieak of this departure with a calmness — "
" 1 was not i)oru to be happy, Sire." replied tlie ])rincess,
sadly ; '• and wliih' still young I grew accustomed t(j seeing my
dearest \visht?s thwarted. '
•• .Vre you speaking the trutli ? And will your departure
thwart any desire wjiicli is dear to you '.' "'
" If I were to answer 'yt's," is it true. Sire, that you would
begin to take your misfortune patiently ? "
" ( "ruel one I '"
" Take care, Sire; some one is coming."
The King looked around.
" No.'' said lie.
Then turning l)ack to ^ladame :
'•Come, ll'irietta, insteail of trying to contend against
Monsieur's jealor.sy l)y a departure wiiicli would kill me — ''
Henrietta shrugged her s]u)ul(U'rs like a woman who doubts.
" Ves, whicli woidd kill me," replicil Louis. •• Come, instead
of determining on tliis departure, does not your imagination —
or, ratlu'r. dnes nut your heart suggest something else? "
" And wliat do you want my heart to suggest to me '.'"
" Well, tel'. me imw can ont; piove to some one that he is
wrong to !)'■ iealous."
" In the first ]ilace, Sire, iiy giving liiiu no motive for jeal-
ousy ; that is, by loving noii"' but him.''
" Oh, I ex|)ected sumething better."
'• What did ymi cxik" t '.' "
" That you would ai ^wer simiily that you could calm jealous
people by dissimulating the attection you have for the obiect
of their jealnusy."
'• It is ditlicult t(i dissimulate, Si.e."'
'• .\iid yet it is liy nverc()ir.iiig dithculties thai one attains
happiness. As to me, I swear to you 1 shall give the lie to my
jealdiis tncuds. if need be, liy preten<ling to treat you like all
other Wdiueu.'"
CAUGHT IN THE RUTTERFLY CHASE. 143
•• V,m think eveiythiM^r is bad, .l.-ar HeMrietfa/' said L..ms
|hs,.ontente.i. <' Vo„ ol,j...t to everytlun^. I ...npose. U
.•ast, su,i,;trest soni.thuifr yoursHt. (;,>,ne, trv. I ,,ut .-reat
f^-ith u, the inventions ol wo.nen. Think ,4, son.ethin-^ in
voiir turn." ' 'o '"
'• Wfll, T suggest this. Are von listening, Sire - "
" How can yon ask '' You speak of n.y lite or death, an.l
ask me it 1 am li.stening! "
'■ Well, I judge by myself. If it were a question of i.nttmg
me on the wrong scent as to the intentions of my husband,
1" .."ganl to another woman, one thing, above all others, would
leassure nie. '
*• What is tliat ? ''
'•In the lirst place it would be to see that he paid 1.0 atten-
tion to tJiis woman.
'■ Well, that is exactly what I said just now "
i.ke tn'-LT"- ^^''' ''\ '"■•':•■ '" ^'« ^'"'1>- '-^assured I should
like to see him occupied with some one else "
de;- Henlieua-^"''"' "^'"' '^^""' ^""'•"^- " ""''' ^^"'i^'
" What •.' "
" \^.}^^^ method is ingenious, it is scarcely charitable "
'' \\ hy not ':' "
" In .Miring the fear of the wound in the mind of the jealous
Frson you mtlict one in his heart. He no longer has any
fcar,jt IS true; but the evil still exists; an.l this seems to me
•• Agree.]; but at least he d.ies n.,t detect, he does not .sus-
pcct the real enemy; he does not harm love itself; he concen-
. tcs all his forces on the side where they will do no injury to
Miiiu ..e.l to see you disj.ute, harms the jeahius people it is
■•"". In.t helps the lovers. Now, I ask v.m, Sir,..lx..ep; per-
l.aps yourself, who ever tlu.ught ..f pitying jealous people ?
A they no, mournful b.-ings, always equally ulihappy
■th,M. with or ^ylthout cause V If you remove the ..ause, vou
- > 1 not .lestroy th.ur sutf.ring. The disea.se lies in the im'ac,!!
"aturn, an.l like all imaginary ills, it is incurable. Hv the wa^v
', ' u'''': '" ,\'"^<■"""^'■t"'n T remember an apliori^m of mv
' ' ''"••^"^' ^'■''''^^y> a ^'lever and witty physician whom, had
ih".'
Ill
mi
144
Tin: VKOMTE DE liltAOELONM:.
',-o:
it not, been I'm' my brntlicr, wiui caiiiifjt ^'ot alrmt; without him,
I would now lia\c with niv, ■ When you arc liivcly to stiiTer
from two allV'ctious,' lit; uscil to say,' clioosf tiit> one which will
give you the least tiMuhlc ; 1 will allow you to keep that; for,
in j^'uoil sooth I" said he, 'that is of the utmost im|)oitance to
me, in oi'der to enable me to rid you of the otlicr." "'
"Well said, W(dl thout^dit out, Henrietta dear,'" re[ilie(l the
Kin;^', smiliuL,'.
'• Oh, w(> have eleven- [leoplc in London, Sire."'
'•And these (dever people train adorable scholars; tliis
Daley. Parley, — what do you call him '.' "'
" Dawley."
'' Wtdl, I sliall give him ♦rom to-morrow a ])ensiou for his
aphorism; but begin. Henrietta, I impiiu-e, by choosing the
least of your evils. Vou do not answer, you smile; I guess
the least of your troubles is to stay in France, is it not? I
shall let you keep that evil, and in order to begin with tlie cure
of the other, 1 shall look about from to-day for a subject to di-
vert the jealous of either sex who persecute us."
" Ilusli I this time some one is really coming," said Madame.
And she bent down to pick a flower from the thick griiss.
Some one was coming, as a matter of fact; for suddenly
there ran down from the top of the hill a bevy of young
women, b>llowed by the ciivaliers. The cause of this sudden
onslaught was a magnificent hawk-moth with upper wings like
the plumage of an owl, and ur.der wings like the leaves of a
rose.
This prey fell into the net of Mademoiselle de Tonnay-
Charentc, who showed it with pride to rivals less successful
than herself.
The queen of the chase seated herself abort twenty feet
from the bench occupied by Louis and Maihune Henrietta, and
leaning back against magnificent o;:k entwined with ivy,
stuck the butterfly ;in the end of her huig cane.
Mademoiselle de Tonnay-< 'hai-ente was very beautiful ; so
the men deserteil the other women to })ress in a cinde about
her, under the ]iretext of complimenting her on her skill.
Tiie King ami the jirincess looked slyly at the .scene, as
spectators of another age regard the play of children.
" They are having a good time,"' said the King.
" V(M\- ■,' I. Sire : I have always noticed that there is pleas-
ure where rr there is youth and beauty."
\ I i
•^:-
rAiaiiT i.\ Tin-: niTrr.nri.y ciiasi:.
145
lie (le TuiiiKiv-rhureiite.
" \\li;it Wm you smv Id ^radcinoise
ilt'iiricttii ■."■ asked the Kiii<r.
•• I slmuM say she is a liule to,, fair," rt'i-liod Ma.ia.iie, .seiz-
in- at first Kl:'ii'«' tlioouly ,l,.iVct tube fouml in tlio almost
laultiess beauty (.f tii.' futures Madame dc Moutespan
'• A little too fair, perhaps, but beautitul, it seems to me, in
spiio ot tliat." '
" Is tliat your opinion, Sire '.' "'
" Vt's."
" Well, it is mine too."
" And she is mueii sought after, you see."
"Oh so far as that jroes, yes; lovers are fluttering ab.nit.
H we had had a lover cliase instead of a butterfly chase you
sei- what beautiful si)ort we should have hail."
'•Tell me, Henrietta, what would be said if Ihe Kin- were
to mingle with all these lovers and let his -lan.'e fall on that
side. W ould some one else be jealous in that ease ? "
"Oh, Sire, Mademoiselle de Toniiav-("harente would be a
very ettieaeious remedy,'- said Madame with a sigh, ".she would
'•are a jeahjus man, it is true, but she might well make a
woman jealous too."
'•Henrietta! Henrietta!" e.xelaimed Louis, "you till mv
lieart with joy! yes, you are right ; Madeiuoi.selle'de Tonnav-
< liarente is too beautiful to serve as a eloak."
" A king's eloak," said Madame Henrietta, smiling, " outrht
to be beautiful."
" Do you advise me to do that, then '.' " a.sked Louis.
"Oh! what can I .say. Sire, except that to give such advice
would be to furnish arms against myself V It would be folJv
-'!• i'lide to advise y(,u to take for the heroine of an assumed
'Hve a woman more beautiful than the one f.jr whom you me-
t<'iid to feel real love."
The King's hand .sought Madame's ; his eyes sou.'ht hers •
then he iiuirmured some words .so tender but at the same time
I'ttcre.l in so low a tone that even the historian, who ought to
liear everything, could not catch them. Then aloud :
'• ^\ eil," said he, •• choose yourself the one who is to cure our
jealous friend To her all my thoughts, all my attention, all
the tune which I can spare from business, shall be devoted.
1 o her, Henrietta, shall be given the flower 1 shall pluck for
.von, the tender thoughts that you arouse in me; to her I shall
b'lve the glance that I dare not give you, and which ought to
Vol. II. — 10
K -
I
14G
THK viroMTE /)/•; nR.\r;Er.n\xE.
M^qii
lielp awaken you from your iiidifforpiico. Hut clinose well, lest
in thinking of her, lest in otterint,' her the rose plucked by my
fingers, I should find myself coiuinered by yon ; and lest my
looks, my hand, my lijjs, should turn at once to yon, were the
whole world to gness my secret."
While these words rushed from the lips of tiie King in a
stream of love, Madame blushed, breathless, happy, proud, in-
toxicated. Sjie found nothing to say in reply ; her pride and
her tliiist for homage were satisfied.
" I shall fail,"' sai<l she, raising her beautiful eyes. '< but not
as you entreat, for of all this incense which you wish to burn
on the altar of another goddess, ah. Sire! I shall be jealous
and shall want returned to me ; nor must a iiartide of it be
lost on the way. Therefore, Sire, with your nnal iiermission,
I sliall choose one who will seem to me least ca]iable of distract-
ing you. and (jiie who will let mv image remain intact in your
heart."'
" Fortunately," said the King. '• your heart is not hard ; other-
wise 1 should tremble at the threat you make me ; we have
taken our ])recautions on this point, and around you as around
me it wonld be difficult to meet a sad-looking face."
While the King w:is speaking thus Madame had ri.sen, and
had glanced across tiie lawn. After a careful and silent sur-
vey she called Louis to her and said :
"Look, Sire! Do you see on the side of that hill near the
(duster of snowballs that beautiful girl walking alone with
head bent and arms hanging by her side, looking at the flowers
she is crnshing beneath her feet like one lost iu thought '.' "
" Mademoiselle de la Valliere ? ■' said the King.
" Yes."
" Oh ! ■'
" Does she not suit you. Sire ? "
" Why, look at tiie jioor child ! She is thin j there is scarcely
any flesh on her bones."'
" So I am fat, then ? "
" But she is as sad as death."'
" She will be a contrast to me who am accused of being too
lively."
" But she is lame."'
" Do you think so ? "'
' Certainly. Look, she has let every one pass in order that
her defect may not be noticed."
tj;
CAr<;nr ix rin: butticrfly chase. 147
.Jlpe*:',:!;:;. ' "' ""^ ■■"" ■"- ^"-••^■>' - ^'^M.!... a-l can„ot
'•Hnnietta: Henrietta:- sai,l t!.,. Kinj:, ro.nplotely out of
'■'"per •• u all vour ,„a..Is of l.or.or yo„ have eertamly chosen
fur me the lea.st attraetive." ^ i^'io^eu
'• Ves but she is one of my mai.ls of honor. Note that."
" .No doubt ; but what do you mean '^ "
•■ I mean that ia order to ^isit this new divinity you cannot
laii to come to my roon.s, and as propriety will IJZ vo o
."..verse wuh the goddess alone you lui be con>pelled to see
..'.• ... ,v i)resence and to speak to me while speiking to her
. k.n,' that you come to n.y apartments for me since you
u.ll cone in reality tor Mademoiselle de la Valli^re "
" \\ ho limps."
•• Scarcely that."
" Who never opens her mouth.
•• Hut who when she does open it, shows pretty teeth."
• Mie nii-ht serve as a model for an osteologist "
*• \ our favor will make her fat.''
" Henrietta! "
" Anyway, you let me choose ? "
" Alas, ves ! ''
....;: 'submit"' " "^ ^'°'^^' ' ""p«^« ^^^ - y-' - you
her on me!'""^"^ '"^™'* *° °"' °^ '^'^ *^"""^ '^ y«" i™P«««d
" La Valliere is as gentle as a lamb; you need not fear she
VI ever contradict you when you tell her you love her "And
•MiKlame began to laugh.
a,;,^ou ?'"" ""^ "°* ^^'^"^ *^'^' ^ '^''" *"'^ ^^' *^i« too '""ch,
" It would be for me."
" Very well."
'• The treaty is made, then."
*• Signed."
•• You will keep for me the friendship of a brother the ittpn
.?r \}T'''\^ *'' ^^"""^^>- '' - -narch wiiryou not ";
I shall keep tor you a heart which already has learned "to
l'<Mt only at your command." ^ ie^ineu to
assiiJedr'''"' ^"^ ^""^ ''' *^** ''' '^"^ ^^y *^« ^^'^'^ i«
J? i
If
I
flii
14H
■/■///•; vicoMTi: nic i:nA(,i:/j).\\ic
" I hopp sn.'"
" Will vmir iiintlicr cpasc to rpj^anl im- as an Piieiny ^"
•' Vcs."
" Will Maria 'IVresa ccasp to sppak in Spaiiisii lu'lorc Mon-
BitMir, wlio lias a honor of convprsations carried on in f'orcii^n
lan},'iia:,'i's lipcausi- lio always thinks that lie is l)cin<,' niali'^'nt'il '.' "'
" Alas, is lie wron;,''.' '" nnirniuroil the Kint,', teniicrly.
" Anil lastly. ■■ went on the princess, '• will iicoplcstill accnse
the Kini,' ol havini,' illes^'itiniatc loves when it is true that we
feel nothint,' for eaiii other unless it he pnre sympathy '.' ''
'• ^'cs,'' iiiurinnreil the KiiiL,', •• Init they may say other thinj;s
of us.''
•• What can they say, Sire '.' Shall we never he left in
jieace '.' ■'
•' Thev will say." continued the Kiii'.,', '• that I have poor
taste; hut what is my juide in comparison with your peace of
mnid '.' ""
" Witli my honor. Sire, and with that of our family, you
mean, iiesides. helieve me, do not he so (piickly prejudiced
a,i.;aiust La \'alliere; she lim])S, it is true, b>it she does not lack
intellij^cnce. Moreover, all that the Kins touches is converted
into LTold."'
" Well. Madame, you may be certain of one thin>,', and that
is I am still grateful to you ; you might make me pay more
dearly yet for your stay in France."
" Sire, some one is coming.''
" Well '.' •'
" A final word."
" What is it ? "
'' You are ]irudent and wise, Sire, but in this case yon must
call to your aid all your prudence and all your wisdom.''
"Oh!" exidaimed Louis, laughing, '-this very evening I
shall begin to play my role, and you shall see whether 1 have
not a vocation for the part <>i a sliepherd lover. After lunch
wc are to make a graml excursion into the forest, then have
supper, and the ballet at ten o'clock."'
" I know it."
" My passion this evening shall blaze more brilliantly than
the illnmiuations ; shall shine more clearly than the lamps of
our friend <,'olbert; it shall glow to such an e.xtent that the
eyes of the (pieens and of Monsieur will be blinded.''
" Take care, Sire, take care ! "
cArciiT IX in,.: HrriEHFLY cuase.
l49
" In Immvimi's ii;iii„. wlijit, li.iv,' I done " "
N ■. .i.t I an. rec.alhn-. you to sane id...,s. K„„ll.; your
l..t-..>.. by .h-roes, instead ,.f „.aki,.f,. it hurst fo t ..11 I
;";;■'■• ''"im.T thunders and sends iMs"shatLs f 1 /. j' ',,f
1;;- l.urnu.^ palaees. Kverytl.in. has a be^in-.m^ ^M
^''•t s„ excited n.M.ne will believe you -ire in !,. . ^
Wt'Il, 1 shall think over my .dan of -ntn-.l. • „ i '
Mv ,s ,.I,ar ,■„„ knmv, a„,l |,„„r JIa,le,„„i,elle .le s, n',,,' '
«.; M never org.ve n.c- f„r n,.,l,i„B |,ast .l,c «t' .n ..-H- e, '.
Now «.c have reti.rne,! to our »e„,es. Sire; »h . I we ,rt "■•
;• . h, , «e ,m,st ; f„r see, they „re e„,„i,^.." ' '"' '
-Ht!\,eSl,^5!^;;;^^!:T■^!!;;;:;t^.r;l^?i"^""''""■■
"»"i.ls in ,„e with Breat hunte,!, •' ' '"' "" ""'"I'''-
" J/'"^" 'V;'!" 'V^'^'' *'"'*' ''^"•1 3J»all send her awav "
■■ ■^"" ^^'''11, ' «aid .\iadanie, lan"hin<' '"inl rlM„^f • v
I. iif ■' \\'\ 1 "o""'n» ana ao not m.s<4 npp
"•■lit. Whereupon the princess took leave of thT v !
::Slfjxs^-^,rt^-:li3^f^
X\-'
: ./.n -1
I
1 50
77/ /i yi((
>.\fTI-
CIIAl
ti:k
nn.K
XX.
ii:i.i>.\\\H.
THE H
TKU the colliitioii
A I.I. FT
OK TIIK SK
was scivci
\so\s.
, about tivo o'l
look, tlio
Ak
. wliicli
KiiiK
eiitt'ied liis (■ivl)iiH't. in
whic!
1 his
taih)rs were
iwaitiii^
him t
or tho [luriiosi' of
trviii;^'
oil til
li t';nnoi!s costuiiit' i
t' Spriii'.^
wlllll
1 had rost so iniK
li tlio\ij.;ht to
tiifdi
•signers and oriiaiiifiit- |
workers at. court.
I
As
to thf hiiHft its.
'It'. I'voiy OIK
' knew Ins steps aiK
1 how to ■
take them. 'I'he Kiiii,' had decided to make it a surjuise.
Scaictly, therefore, had hetiiiished liis contereuce and returned
to liis rooms than he siiiiiiiioiied his two masters o( cereiiiony,
ViUeroy and Saint-.\i;^'iian. l^otii replicil that they awaited
only his orders, and that they were ready to liej.;in ; luit tine
weather and a favorabh' nit^ht were necessary for these to be
carried out.
The Kinj.; opened his window : the j^oid of the sun's rays
showed aloni,' the horizon through the openings (d' the woml,
and the nioou white as snow was already outlined against tlie
sky.
Not a ripple stirred on the surface of the gretni waters ; the
swans themselves, resting on their folded wings like ships at
an(dior, seemed tilled with the warmth of the air, the freshness
of the water, and the silence of the jn-rfect (»vening.
Having seen all these things and contenqdated the beautiful
picture, the King gave the order for whicdi M. de Villeroy
and M. de Saint-Aignan had been waiting.
But to ensure that this order might be execute<l in a royal
manner, one final (piestiou was necessary. Louis XIX. juit it to
the two gentlemen.
It contained these four words : " Have you any money ? "
" Sire,'' replied Saint-Aignau, " we have arranged everything
with M. Colbert."
" All ! very good."
" Yes, Sire, and >r. Colbert said lie would be with your
Majesty so soon as your Majesty showed any intention o' car-
rying out the fetes, the programme of which he has planned."
" Let him come, then."'
At once, as if he had been listening at the door to keep up
with the conversation, Colbert entered the room.
THI-: HA I. LET OF THE SEASO.Vs. 151
"All ! M. CollxMt," .s;ii<l liis M ii,.stv .. -r
tlemen.-' '■ > "i^ .m.ij. sU. " J ..your posts, gen
S;iint.AiK'iiiui ami Villeroy look tl.."ir I.-avo
^^^ I .1..1 to .la.u., tins eveiUHK in tho ballet, M. -olhert,- sai.l
'' \v7l '?"• ^/;""'^'-t' •^""^•' you pro„use,l to pav, pav "
havM-loliey :•''"' '^ pay, as M. d. L..sd.gui...e. sLi.'oL^n.st
...::sr;'TL^:tt::;;r:;;;:t'';;'-"'-^^^^''^'-
:; u-S ^^^ ^^''^^ ^^'•'^ y-""- >I^J*-'--*ty at the ti,„e pronused."
■i,.d Ihe'I: '^''■^*',^''^''^^'«'-'"l l^i"M'.^. the iiluminatioas. the violins
__^ ;• Well, well, M. Colbert, the fact is you have no ,„ore
'• I have no more, but M. Fouquet has "
And Colbert's hu-e lij^hted with sinister joy.
'• \\ hat do y m mean ? "' asked Louis
" >Sire we have alrea.ly made M. Fouquet advance six mill
nee. be'"w'"r"'\^"^ muc-h «rL not t..\fiveoth rs
^J^ed be. ^Ve do need them to-day; therefore he must
The King frowned.
•.-a<4 St rnrof^nV'"^'^ r*^"'"''^"^'' '^ ' ^ .lo not wish to
"And yet," said he, '-your Majesty di.l not speak in this
mSauc. "'' '""' ago- when thenews'of Belle-Isle'arrived, foj
V:-
i
1.'
77/;; VICo.MIE DE lUiAd IllJKW E.
'• You m-e riijlit, M. CullxTt."
"Nothing' Ikis changed, liowevcr, since llica ; nitlicr the con-
trary."'
'* In my iniiul, inonsicnr, cvcrytliiiiij: is clianj^'ed.''
" What, Siro, ihips not yonv Majesty belicvt* in the at-
tempts '.' "'
" My atfairs concorii nio, monsieur, and I liavi! already tohl
yon that I hxik alter tliein myselt."
'• Tlieu 1 see tliat I liave had the niisfoitmie."" said (Jilhert,
tremhliii', willi rage and tear. •• to tall into disgrace with your
Majesty."
" Not at all ; on the contrary, you are very agreeable to
me."'
" Yet, Sire," said the minister, with that hhiiitness which
wass(j('lever and ethcacious when it was a([uestion<ii faltering
Louis' pride, "of what use is it to be agreeable to your Maj-
esty if one is no longer of use to him '.' "'
" I shall reserve your services for a better occasion, and be-
lieve me, they will he worth only the more.'"
"So your .Srajesty"s plan in this atfair is — "
" You need money, M. (!olbert '.' "'
'' Seven Imndred thtaisaud livres. Sire.'"
" You will take them from my private treasury."
Colbert bowed.
" Ar.d,"' added Louis, "as it seems ditHcnU ^)ryou — in spite
of your economy — to defray, with so limited a sum, the ex-
peu.ses whiidi I wish to incur I shall sign f(u- you an onier for
three millions."'
The King took a pen and at once signed an order. Then
handing the ])aper to ("olbert :
" l?e easy,'" said he, *■ the {)lan which [ have adopted is a
kingly one, M. Colbert."'
With these words, uttered with all tlie dignity which the
young prince knew how to assume in such cireumst:inces, he
dismissed Colbert to give an audience to tlie tailors.
The order given by the King was known tiiroughout the
whole of Fontainebleau ; it was kiu)wn already that the King
was trying on ids costume, and tliat the ballet would be uau. ed
that evening. This news ran with the rapidity of lightning,
and on the way kindled every kind of coquetry, desire, ami
wild ambition.
At the same moment, a.', if by enchantment, every one who
THE BALLET OF Till-: SEASONS. 153
know l.ow to ]H.I.l ;, „e<MlIo. evory ..„e who rould distinguish -t
. 'I'l"' Km.u' hud finirhod his tnilft hy nine ..".dock ; h(> appeared
n> !;:-,p..n ..u.-.a,.. wh.-h .as de^crated with {tXT^:^
The .|,n.ens had taken their places .,n a nKUMiitieent d.is
-v.te.l .„ the borders of the lab- in a theat S a ^1 o
eonstiuetiiin. "umeiioiis
n./",n,T.'7f''M*''^'''''i'^"'"•'''"'^P•'*♦''"^«'*^^ all the differ-
'■-l.u.t.:.-'s wand, a thousand ■;™s;^li:-,;\,^:„:,t:r in te^d
; n.terlern.^, had ereeted the stntcture^in th , k^ u^d^
- sound .d nu,su.; while already the workn.e^ w'; 1^^
;;;:;.di: ori;:;:;^ "'^ ^^'"^^'^ ^'^ ^'^^ ^^^^--^'-" - ^1-ia^
Smee the sky set with stars had not a elou.l, sinee not i
Ineath of a,r was heard in tli. ^reat woods, as i Xa ure ?nd
;';-^-nnoda te. herself to the Kin,r's fancy the back of 1 e
H dre had l,een left open; so that behiml the fore "rotmcl
''t the sc.enes eould be seen as a baekground the beautifu Tv
-.nkhn, w,th stars: the sheet of water, enc?i;:ied SI tl e'
,iuit .l.unps of woods with Iheir roundcM tops
When the Kin,^^ appeared, the entire room was filled and
H sented a mass ghttermg with gold and preeious stone ^^n
" sh!;! ;«r^;'^' '"' ^1^'^"' "° ^'"^ f-« -™W bJSsti"
C illi. ;.v ? ^"'f^ "' .*^'" 'y^" ^''''- accustomed to such
11 amy, the. rarest bea..t.es appeared, as in the evening sky
iH stars, one by onc^ are seen by him who has closed his- eves
ami then opens them. •>
The theatre represented a grove; some fauns liftinc their
' |ven c^et were .jumping about here and there 7,lrva
■!.p.>are. and excited them to pursuit; others joined leu t
!;n.t...t her; and they c^uarrelle.l as th^y dancec Smh^
The Elements, subaltern powers of mythology with their
•"f ; l.utes, hastened after theii grac-ious ^overe.i,
1': .seas., US allies of Spijn ., came to his side'to form a
•iuadnlle, which, after some remarks more or less flattedngt
154
THE VK'OMTF. />/•; lilxA( . El.oXNE.
was the bp<^iiiiiin,tj of tlie dauco. Tlit- iimsif (if hautboys, flutes,
and viols, ilesciibcd rural pleasures.
The KiiiL,' had already entered amidst thnnderinf:^ ajipiausi-.
He was dressed in a tunic of flowers, which instead of uiakini;
liini heavy looking, set oil' his slender and well-formed fiLjure.
His legs, ilie best shaped at eourt, api)eared to advantage in
flesli-colored silken hose so fine and so transparent that they
seemed like the flesh itself. The most beautiful pale lilac satin
shoes, with bows of flowers and leaves, imprison«id his small
feet.
The upper part of Ids figure was in harmony with the rest :
beautiful waving hair, an air of freshness enhanced by the
brilliancy of his fine blue eyes which softly kindled all hearts,
a mouth with tempting lips, which deigned to ojien in smiles.
Such was the prince of that year, justly styled that evening,
"The King of all the Loves.'"
There was in his gait something of the buoyant majesty
of a god. He did not dance, he .seemed to soar. His en-
trance produced the most brilliant effect. Suddenly the Comte
de Saint- .Vignan was seen trying to approach Louis or Ma-
dame.
The princess, attired in a long robe, diaphanous a.id light
as the finest network made by the skilful Mechlin workers,
one knee occasionally outlined beneath the folds of her tiuiic,
her little feet clad in silken slippers, advanced radiant with
her chorus of l>ac(diantes, and had already reached the place
assigned to her in the dance.
The applause lasted so long tliat the count had ample leisure
to join the King, who had paused.
" What is it, Saint-Aignan ? '' said Spring.
" Alas, Sire ! '" replied the courtier, (juite pale, •' your Majesty
has not thought of the dance of the Fruits."
" Yes, it is onutted.'"
" No, Sire. Your ]\rajesty did not give such orders, and the
music has been retained."
•' \Yhat a pity I " murmured the King. "'The figure cannot
be performed, since >L de Guiche is absent. It must be left
out."
" Oh, Sire, a quarter of an hour of music without any danc-
ing will ruin the ballet."
'" But, count — "
" And Sire, that is not the greatest misfortune ; for, after
THE BALLET OF THE SEAS<i\s.
155
all, the^ orchestra could just as well cut it out if necessary,
" I?ut what ? "
" M. de (iuiche is here."
"Here'.'" .said the King, frowning; " here V Are you
sure . ' •'
" And v.W dres.sed for the ballet, too, Sire."
The King felt the blood rise to his face.
" Vou must be mistaken,'' said he.
•' So nearly correct, -ire, that if your Majesty will look to
the right you will se i.e count waiting.''
Louis turned quicKly in the direction indicated, and there at
Ills right, sparkling with beauty in his costume of Autumn, De
(.niche was waiting for the King to look in order that he might
address him. °
To dem'ribe the stupefaction of Louis, that of Monsieur
who was growing anxious in his box, to tell of the whisperines
the moving of the h.uds in the hall, the strange emotion of
Madame at sight of iier partner, is a task we must leave to
cleverer hands than ours.
The King stood with parted lips looking at the count The
latter apjiroached, and bowe(i respectfully, saying-
" Sire, your Majesty's very humble servant has come to do
. iMi .-i service to-day as he has done at other times on the field
"• 'Kite. Hy omitting the dance of the Fruits your Majesty
uouM lose the most beautiful .s.'ene of the ballet. I did not
nan to i;e the cause of such a .lisaster to the beauty, the skill,
._n.;Uho grace of the King, so I left m ,- estates in order to help
Kvcry word fell .distinctly, harmonious, eloquent, upon Louis
M\ . s ear Ihe flat.cry plea.sed him as much as the man's
'ouiage had suipri..ed him. He replied simply :
•• I did not bid you return, count."
^^^1'^ Certainly not, Sire, but yo-u- Majesty did not tell me to r^-
sce!^,nf i'r ^'^^ ^^' !i"- ' ^'^-^ "''i'P'"" ^y- '^'^ P'-"!""^ the
u 1 "l IT ^^'T'*''"'?^'- ^-^ «i"K'<^ shadow on the picture
\\'iuld spoil it beyond repair.
M.uemer, the King's heart was fill..d with kindness. He
Mali/'.'ne '' ms' '= ition from the eloquent eyes of
Htiiiietta's glance lu u ;.! to Vxm:
MMB
\i
I III: virDMii: hi: imMii.i.nwi:.
i
!?fv^
•• Siiico lie is jpalntis of you, divido the suspicions; the one
will/ ilistrusts two i'i\;ils distrusts none."
Witli such a cleviM' diversion Madame liad decid(>d him.
The KiiiLT smiled at De (iui(die. Thi; latter luidcrstood not
one word of Madanie's dundi l.uiL,niauje, but he clcu-ly >aw that
shealTi'cted not to look at him. The jiardon he had obtained
he attributed to the piinccss's kindness of heart. The King
seemeil pleased with every one.
^[onsieur alone did not understand.
The baUet be^'an : it was splendid. When ihe violin.>, by
their bursts of melody, carried away the illustrious dancers,
when the simple pantomime of that a.i,'e, still simjiler by the
mediot re ;uting of the august actors, had rea( hed its ( limax of
triumiih. the liall almost gave way beneath the ap))lausc.
De (hiiche shone like a sun, but like a court sun which
takes a second place.
Disdainful of his success, for wlpch .Madame showeil him no
acknowledgment, he thought only of boldly winning i»ack the
niarkcd preference of t!ie princess.
She had not given him a single glance. P,y deoiees all his
joy, all hi.s brilliancy, were lost in grief and anxir'ty. so that
his limbs became weak, his arms heavy, and his head droojied.
From that moment the King was really the cliief dancer in the
quadrille.
He threw a side glance at his vaiKpiished rival.
De (ruiclie was n.) longer even a courtier: witliout ajjplause
he danced po(jrly. and soon he could not dance at all.
The King and Madame had lriumi)lied.
CH.\PYKr. XXI.
Tin: .NVMl'MS or IIIK I-AIJK o I" l-ONT A 1 \ KULEAIT.
The King remained for a moment to enjoy his tr: im[ih,
whi( h, as we have said, was as complete as j>ossible. Then he
turned towards Madame in order to admire her a little.
Young ](cople love perhaps with more viv.K'ity, more ardor,
more jiassion than pco|ile of a rip;'r age: but at tiie same time
they have all (jtlier feelings devclojieil in proportion to their
youth and vigor ; so that vanitv being aln.ost always with them
V) 1//V/,V uF TUK PMiK OF lONTAINERLEAf. 157
«1h> ...,.iiv,.il.M,t ui lovP, tJa. latter feeling aecordinj^ to the law
"' -lu.po.se never a,lan,s that .le.nee <,f perte,, ^n, w ueh ft
.-,mn-s ,n n.en an,l won.en of fr,.n> thirty'tu tinrt v-Hve Vl^
I^-uis tlionyl.t th..n „f Afarianie, but ,mlv after ho had eire
';'ll.v houghtof hnnself; and Madame thou,d.t a great leal
^il.y;.r liPisoIf without thinking m the least of The Kin,/
^,^l.ut^the v.etnunfai: this royal vanity an.lune "wa , De
Hv".y one ,.ouhl notiee the agitation and the prostration of
•i.o poor gent e:nan, and this prostration was espeeiallv tl^
.".;- nofeoablo sineo people wore not aoeustome 1 t Lu g
gl ness Ihey were not usually trouble.l about him when a
'Pie^tion (;f elegance or of raste arose.
S,. De (juiche^s depression was attributed bv the -.-eater
iii'inher to his skill as eourtier. " o>e'irer
P.i.t there were oth.r-, -there are always keen-si-^hted ob
sorveis at eourt- who remarked Ins pallor ami dejecti:m 'vhH.
.;._ould neither d.ssomlno nor hide, and they reLonably Z^.
' ■■; 1 '1 that Do Gui.ho W.-..S not anting the part ,.f flatterer
Iluse sufferings, .sueeesses, and ••omments were blemled con-
■''"m'l"'l. and lost in the u'proar of applause '-'^". «'^"
^\^1^^T ';'!«^l"^-^f '';^'l expressed their satisfaction, and
H po.-laors their enthusiasm ; when the K-ing ha.l returned to
..;.oom to change h.s costume, and while Monsieur, dies o
■> . voman according to liis custom, was dancing in his turn
le (.uicho, who had recovered himself, approached Alad i '
M.o «-as seated at the bu.k of the tlioal/e waititl^ 1 e
-•ond par , a„ ■ had created a sort of solitude in The nit
;;|^ a o-owd as ,1 to mcUtate beforehand on choregraphS
Abso.^>ed thus deeply, it will bo easily understood that sh
on a:;u,::n.;:: '''''' ^'" ^'"^^"'"'^ "^^ *« ^^^' ->-* -- «-»«
i;'i'"li>.g her alone near a tliicket of painted canva= De
; " :; ^^-^f ^^-l--- two of hir maids of h.mo^
^:^ll!:.Ztr i;;;.U Hu dim^^"^^" ^"'"'^ middle of thccircle,
le
158
THE vicomtf: />/■: niiAr;/:u>x.\E.
A shiver passod tlii'oiifjli the uiil»;i]i|iy >ii;iii ; he was not ex-
pectiii}^ such utter indinVrciice ; in- hivd seen nothing, he had
heard nothing, and consecjuently coidd ^'uess nothing.
Seeini^ that liis salutation met witli no response, he advanced
one step lartlier, and in a voice which he strove, though in
vain, to renik'r cahn, said :
" I liave the honor to present niy most Imnible respects to
Madame.''
This time lier royal Highness <h^igned to turn lier languisii-
ing eyes upon the count.
" Ah, M. de (Juiclie,'' said slie, " is it you '.' How do you do '.' "
Then she turned away again.
The count's patience almost forsook hiin.
" Your royal Highness danced most charmingly just now,"
said he.
" You think so?" saiil Madame, carelessly.
" Yes. The character which your royal Highness assumes is
in jierfect harmony with your own."
.Sladame turned completely around, and looking at He (iuiche
with a bright and steady gaze said :
" Indeed '."'
" Yes."
" Pray explain."
" You represent a divinity beautiful, scornful, and fickle,"
said he.
" You mean Pomona, M. le ( 'omte ? "
" I allude to the godde.^s your royal Highness represents,"
Madame remained for a moment with lips compressed.
"But you yourself, monsieur," said she; '-are not you an
excellent dancer '.' "
" Oh, I, Madame, am one of those who are never noticed, and
who are forgotten if by chance they have been noticeil."
At these wor.ls, accijmpanied by one of those deep sighs which
affect the inmost fibres of one's being, with h.'art full of anguish
and throbbing fast, his head on lire, his eyes wandering, he
bowed and withdrew behind the thicket.
For all reply Madame slightly shrugged her shoulders.
And as her maids of honor lia<l withdiawn discreetly during
the conversation, she now recalled them by a glance.
They were Mesdemoiselles de Toniiay-Charente and de Mon-
talais.
At the sign from Muflame both hastily apprciched.
X)u/;fs OF Tin- /'auk of foxtaixeblfau.
159
If.s ■.'
atsked the priucess.
'• I'.<1 you hear, iiiHsdciiidisc;
" Wliat, Madan-.e '.' ''
" What M. (1(^ (iuiclie said ''"'
'•X..."
'• l^t-ally, it is very remarkable," continued the princess in a
tm.o^ of ..otnpasMon, «. how exile has affected thJ poor L", '
nn;;,;Mo!;ra'"4d'r"'" '""■ '^^^^^ ^^'^^ ^^^ ""^appy ,nau
"In the first j.lace he danced badly, and afterwards he
nir.de some very foolish speeches" auerwards he
ahou';:z;;;;''" "°"' '■""■"•"^ *^'^ ^- *" -'-'> ^'- --
I)e Guiche had overheard everything. The arrow ha.l
P.erced to the very depths of his lLrt,'and had worded 't
l.v'h,s'^,;lr';?e fi^ 1 '"^"'■"I'^i",'^ *''^ progress of the fete
;;;:;;;;;od':St:;;'^ ''' ''- ^^"^^ -^^'-^ attr,h,^iT^s
A quarter of an liour afterwards he returned to the theatre
-t ,t v.as easy to see that it was only by a powerful effort of
; M.n or nu^lness that he was enabled^o ^^o back; or per
HM^a ;;;;,''! '^^' •'^ '^'''^ made,-it was^the impossibiUty
Jll^^'Muanung longer away trom her who liad broken his
.Madame had finished her dance
,. n. 1 'n ''^/'f"'" ^'^' ^^ ^''6 passed escorted by her
n.\ nphs, and followed by a hundred flatterers. ^
-Meanwhile at the other end of the theatre near the lake a
"|« .itie tivm whieh issued streams of light
lliis wimiow was that of the royal box
< •" leaving the theatre for the purpose of seekin- the air he
>-;;;u^h^needed, J,e Guiche passed ^lose to th.rwonun a,!:i
Wlien she perceived the young man she arose like a woman
!».' (Jui.he i.Hognizcd her, and stopped.
msSi^''
im.
a
100
rin: viroMTE ni: luiAciii.owi:.
A*-,
'^if
" (i(i()(l ovoiiiiif^, niailoinoiselli',"' siiiil Iif, (|iiickly.
" GiMiil ovoiiiiitr, M. le Coiiite.''
" All, MiukMuoiscllp (If hi Valli^re," cuiitimu'il Dc (iuiclio,
" liow happy 1 am to inoet yoii! "
" And I too, ^^. Ic Coiiitn, am ^'h'ld of this chaiict','' .saul the
ytuii!:^ ;,'irl, iiiakiii!^ a inovciiu'iit as it' to letirtv
"Oh, no, no, do not leaveme," said D<> (Juiidu*, oxtpmling his
hand towards hoi- ; " for by that you woidd f,'ive tho lio to the
kind wonls you have just spukfu. Stay, I bri^ y<"i; it is a
most beautiful nii;ht. Vou are tlceinj,' from the noise, are
you? Vou love your own society! Well, I can understand
that. All women who have hearts are like that. Nor do
we ever see one who is bored when away from all the noisy
pleasures. Oh, mademoiselle I madenujiselle ! "
"What is the nuitter, numsieur '.' " a.sked La Valliere anx-
iouslv. " ^ ou seem aj^itateil."
'• i ■.' Oh, no! no! "'
•'Then. M. <le (iuiclie, allow me now to return you the thanks
I hail intended olferini: y»>'i a,t my first opportunity. It is to
your recommendation, I know, that I (.v.e my admission among
Madaiae's maids of honor.''
" .Ml! yes, indeed. I remember about , and [congratulate
.'uvself. Do you hive any one, mademoiselle '.' "
" I '.' "
"Oh, for,i,'ive me. I don't know what 1 am saying. A
thousand jiardons ! Madame was right, cpiite right. This
brutal exile has completely upset my mind."
'• r>ut it seems to me the King received you very kiudl},
monsieur."
"Do you think so'.' — received me kindly'.' -perhaps —
yes — "
" ^'es, recene 1 \ ou kiiidl ; for as a matter of fact you re-
turned without his perii'.ssiou."
"That is true and I think you are right, mademoiselle,
liiit have you seen the Vicomte de IJragelonue around here '.'' "
La N'alliere started at the name.
'* Why do you ask'.' " said she.
" Oh, great li 'avens ! ILive I wounded you ag.iiu '.' '" said
De (iuiche. •• In that, case I am very unhappy and much to
lie pilied."
•• \'es, vi'i'v unhappy, much to be pitiiMl, M. de (Juiche, for
vou sciMu to be sntferiui,'- Ik •!-ril)l\-."
.V)I//'//\ r>/.' 77//.' /Jiof- ,,,. .- ..
'III. iMiK ()/■ F<>\TAfx/.:/i/./:,if: Mi
tra.ii.l :' •' ■ '^ ^ ""*^ '^ .lovotod si.ster, a trur
" \ <Mi liave fripiids \t , . i< ■ \
I^.^ aluMvlo.,kedafterlumso„.Min..i„ ;,k'-
i'i'l Hside their cnst.iinP. ,V , "-'\ '''^'' ^ '"■^''^•l tl.eir dnties,
'-"t.ful ni.M.t a u X^^^ '^'"^! ''^'-ght..! with the
>'.<-la l"'tl;:fi,.:;ra;:riv: '!''^' ^^'•'^'"-''' •■ ^^'« ^'-^"t we
;;n'r;::t'si:t^;^;!;r'-'"-p^'edLa^
"-No."
" Xor tlie jila^- ? "'
'i.aiorthtclaii.';.'!;;!'^;;;^^ ':,^^"f'''r^^' ^ '"•>^'^' i^'-^f^r
" Tiiis La Valiiere is a noe ' i f a ' ""'^ ''i'^"' ""^^' ^'^''^^J-"
" Tlnf i . f '*""^'^^. '■'' «• P<JPt, said Toiinav-Charente
'■>\ iiig when we have lr,=f ''^ , f * '^ '^ '^ question of
•r "v.; J , ""'. ■'.;„7 '»"> '"at,-. .,a„l M.le.^lSelle de
"V. U-l.„ev° loves me Vr"""' """ " V"""" «"■'' "» fe»
l'^;.;«mc.,a„a;,":v™;iet'e:™e"l°i """"•" """"» '"«
rlf'ver. • ° -^ ""'''^ io' "ifi, you who are so
Vol. I[._n
ir,2
THE VK'OMTF. DF. JiRAOELnSNF..
you ■■
Louise," said Mcmtalais, '• does any oiio please
|]
That coiu'orns iiohody," said the youiii; .i^'irl, risiii<,' i'roiii
til.- iiK.^sy bank on wliicli she liad hwn scaled during' the per-
lornianee of the ballet.
" Now, niesch'nioiselles, we liave decided to ainnse ourselves
to-niKht without i haperone or escort. There are three of iis. we
like one another, and the ni-,dit is ^Morions. Look over there
and see the moon which is risin<,' gently in the sky. silvering'
the tops of the chestnuts ami the oaks. Oh, beautiful walk!
l>eautifid lik-rty \ the .soft gra.ss of the woods ! the jjleasure
whi(di your friendshij) j,'ives ine ! Let iis walk .irni in arm to
those },'reat trees. Everyone at this moment i^ seated at table
and is very busy —busy ^,'etting ready for a formal promenade.
Horses are beinf,' saddled or harnessed — the (Queen's mides or
Mailame's four white ponies. We shall (pnckly reach a s|)ot
where no eve can see us, to which no step can follow us. Do
you remcmlK-r, Montalais, the woods of Chaverny and of Cham-
"bord, the numberless poplars of Bloia where we exchanged our
hoi)es ? '"
" And confidences, too."
« Yes."
" I think a good deal also," said Mademoiselle de Tonnay-
Charente, " but I take care — "
"She says nothing,"' observed Montalais, "so that Athena
alone knows what Mailenuiiseile de Tonnay-Charente thinks."'
" Hark!" cried Mademoi.selle de la Vallii-re, " I hear steps
on this side.'"
"(^uck! ([uick! into the reeds ! "' saiil Montalais. "Stoop
lower, Athena, you are so tall."
Mademoiselle de Tonnay-C'harente crouched down obediently,
and almost at the same moment they saw two gentlenu'u ap-
proaching, their heads bent, Iheir arms interlocke(l, coming
towards them over the line gravel walk which ran parallel to
the bank.
The young girls made themselves small, invisible.
" It is .M. (le(iuiche I" whispered Montalais to ^Lidemoiselle
de Tonnay-(.'harente.
"It is M. de Hragelonne! "' said the latter to La Valliere.
The two young men continued to approacti, conversing ii:
animated tones.
" She was here just now," said the count. "If I had only
-f' .>5('fr -v;.
.vn//.//.v o,.- /■///. ,.t,(^ ,„, roMMsr.iu.E.ii'. m
s-..,hor r sh..,.l.l s.y that it wa. an a,.,.ari,..„, l.,a I s,.<,k. to
" Von arc sum '.' "
" Vcs; but iMM-hai.s r frii,'ht.Mi(',l her."
" How so ? "
""Imh.v C.l : I „,„ slill ..razy -y..„ k„ow why _ ,„ ,h„t
f';::;;;il, ';,::;;,:':;:•'"" ' "•■"""« "'"'"' ■ -"' -' ■■'»'
"Oh,- sai.l Hra-oloun.., - ,lo ti..t Ih" trouble.], my frien.l She
■s k.u,i, an.l w.ll excuse you ; she ,s .ntelli^entiaml J.ll un!;:!
.'" wTl) ••"'' '* ''"' ""'^'•'■^^""•^ ^'"1 »"'lt'rstoo,l too well — "
" She will talk."
'• Oh. y.M. .lo not know Louise, count," .sai.l Raoul. " Louise
has e\ery virtue an.l n..t a single fault "
^^_ I'he,two_youn^ n.en passe.l on, their voi,.es becoming fainter
•How i.s it, La Valliere," sai.l NLa.lemoi.selIe ,le Tonnav
;lKU-^."that the V,..omte .le Hra,elonue spoke of you^;
1 1 v'Sier'" ^Tt' "'^ 'T'^T'" '•^l^''*'^ Ma,len>oiselle de
u \.llieie "an.l kuf^w ea.-h other a.s chil.lren "
....:' hlou^'^hat" '' ^^^^'^^'™-'^ '^ ^^^^"^'-^ ''^ y-' every
■■ '!!;• ^'^''l ■;•;'' ^n-.w it. is it tme, ma.Iemoiselle " "
• \\ ly, sai. L.,ui.He, blushiufr, « the fact is that M de Hraiyo.
1-n.e d..l n. the honor to ask n.y han.l .a marriage!' b^t-'?"
" rt appears that the KiuL' — "
"Well?" ^
;• That the Kins will n.,t consent to our marriage."
ih.3 King! What ha,s he to do with it '' " ex.-laimed
An.e sharply "Great heavens! Has the K ng an St
.. -nclJle w.th such things ? a>olitics are ix,lith.s ' ai M de
Hzann used to say, ' but love is love.' Sr if you o^^ U de
l;n^;elo„ne and he loves you, mar^ huu, I ^^m "^Ive',;;;
Athenais began to laugh.
••Oil, r am speaking seriously," replied Montalais, "and I
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Iti4
THE VICDMTE DE BllAGELO\SE.
"<'ome," said La Valliere, •' the gentlpinen have gone. Let
us take atlvautago of the solitude to eross the oih'u ground and
reacli the \V(jods."
"The more so," saiil Athena, " as there are lights starting
from the chateau and the theatre which seem to me to be
preceding some person of distinction."'
" Let us run, then," said all three.
And gracefully holding up the long folds of their silken
skirts thev lightlv crossed the open space which lay between
the lake and tlie thickest part of the park.
Montalais, swift ar- a deer, .Vthenais, eager as a young wolf,
bounded through the dry grass ; and occasionally some bold
Actu'on might have perceived in the dim light their shapely
white lind}s outlined under the heavy folds of their satin
petticoats.
La Valliere, more delicate and more nn'dest, let her skirts
float around her; retarded also by her lame foot, she soon
asked patience of her companions and, left behind, she fom-
pelled them to wait.
Just then a man, hidden in a ditch filled with young willow
shoots, spi-ang cpiickly up its side and ran otf in the direction
of the chateau.
The three yomig women reached the outskirts of the park,
every lane of which was well known to them. Long paths
lined with flowers bordered the ditches, thick hedges protec'.ed
on the one side pedestrians against the invasion of horses and
vehicles.
Suddenly there was heard in the distance on the hard road
the sound of the Queen's and of ^Lidame"s carriages. Several
cavaliers were following vhem with the tramp of horses so
well imitated in the musical lines of Virgil.
Some distant musicians answered the noise, and when the
notes had died away, the nightingale, proud singer, sent forth
to the company which he knew were gathered together in
the wcjods his most complicated, softest, and most learned
.-iongs.
Near the singer against the da.vk background of the great
trees shone the eyes of some owl attracted by the harmony.
Thus the frte of the whole court was also a fete for the
iiivsterious hosts of the woods; for sure'y the deer was listen-
ing from the brake, tin; pheasant from his branch, the fox from
his hole.
WHAT IVAS SAID UAD/^r rilE
II OVAL OAK. ltj,5
From tlip restless inovempiit« u-liifli fo, i- i
V . * > It^^ '''"' ^'«le-f<l t(. thesit^hsof Jleiiri II for tl„.
'!;,:. ,'™t"' «""'"'""-' " ■"..■'. .-k, .■i,u;;,;;;™,rt
CHAPTER XXir.
WHAT WAS SAID ..VDEK THE KOYAL OAK.
Ixtl.e softness of the air an.l the silenee of the folia-e there
HI at joy,' said she, " to be here, free alone an u-ith
u.v n.^iit to be^tiank, especially towards ourselves ' "
Us, said Mademoiselle de Tonnay-Charente " for the
l^^^^^^^-mue, Its folds of velvet, or beneath the glitter of its
'mill r^>'!:;;]"P'"' ^* """^'^'^ - -^en I cannot tell the
> • >t IS not here as it was at Hlois, where we used to tell
; W.j.-ager Madame all our troubles and longings. Ma,lune
; 1 -lus when she remembere.l she was once youn),i
1 . . days whoever talked with Madame found a tiue li-ien
Madame would tell us her love affairs with Monsieur' and we
166
THE VICOMTE 1>E BRAGELONNE.
^^..■.
would tell her of her love atf:iirs with others, or of the reports
of them that we had heard. Poor woman ! so innocent ! she
would lauf,'h at them as we did. Where is she now '' '"
"Ah, Montalais, laughin-,' Montalais!"' cried La Valhere,
" there you are, sighing again ; the woods inspire yon, and you
are almost reasonable this evening."
"Girls," said Athenais, "you ought not to regret the court
of lilois so much iniless you are not hai)py with us. A court
is the place where men and women gather to discuss matters
which mothers and tutors and especially confessors severely
forbid. At court things are said because allowed by the King
and the queens. Is it not fun ? "
" Oh, Athenais ! "' said Louise, biushing.
" Athenais is frank to-night,"' said :\lont:ilais, " let us make
the most of it."'
« Yes, indeed, for to-night any one could discover the most
intimate secrets of my heart."'
" Ah, if M. de Montespan were in earshot ! " said Montalais.
" Uo you think I am in love with M. de Montespan ? "" mur-
mured the beautiful young girl.
" He is handsome, I suppose ? "'
" Yes, and that is no small advantage in my eyes."
" You see, now I ''
"I will say more: he of all the men here is the handsomest
and the — " . ,, ,
" What was that ? "" said La Valliero, starting up suddenly
from the mossy bank.
" Some deer fleeing among the trees."
" I am afraid only of men,"' saia Athenais.
« When they do not resemble iL de Montespan ? "
" A truce to raillery. M. de Montespan is attentive to me,
but that does not mean anything. Is not M. de Guiche here
attentive to Madame ? "
" Poor fellow ! "' said La Valli^re.
" ^Vhy i)oor ? Madame is beautiful enough and royal enough.
[ shoukl think."'
La N'alliere shook her head sadly.
" When one loves,"' said she, " it is neither beauty nor rank :
my dear friends, when one loves, it should be the heart and
the eyes only of him or her whom on^" loves."'
Montalais began to la\igh loudly.
'' Heart ! eyes ! oh, sugar-plums ! " said she.
mf.lT WAS SAW rXDEH THE ROYAL OAK. 167
" I speak for myself,- rei.lie.l La Valli^re
^^j;.|Soble sentiments!" said AthenaVs, coldly, but w>th a pro-
'• I)o you not have them •"• said Louise.
is =:tt:re'^.' j^ii^^r'Se'^rad^r ;^^7'^^ ^ '-• -^o
vantage, it is on the eounfs side ' ' ^^ "^''" '' ^'"^ ^^-
l^^'^^^^^l^ST^'i^f^V'^'' *" ^-- -hat
;;^":t-itto^:5^>^^
'.-uslady. bit^Sietnirer^j'hi^^^^'^^ '''''' '"'^ '"-
Athenais burst into a disdainful hiuL'h
'■ Do people really love'^" said sh^ </\v>.«
"lice in her ife- ' U^^if ;^ „„ «*""iBo, ana say at the most,
-1'-. we shall have only that '' ""'^ '" '^'^'^ =* ^''^'' ''''''
" Oil, oh ! " murmured La Valli^re
vuu wilT''i;" ''"^V^o"talais, "a fine woman!
Vm will get on m the world!"
" I>o yon not approve of me " "
'' Y<'r'.;'r'?^'"^' '•" •^""'' ^'^*'" '^'^^ her laughing friend
\ u are jokmg, are you not, Montalais ? " asked Lo.ise
,^^^_N.;; r approve of everything Athenais ha« just said;
" l^ut what ? "
•• \\';11, I ,.a„„ot put it into praotiee I have f>,p =f..^ i.
i--l>ios; 1 make -solut,ons,'before"whL^ti:et;s*"??he
Athenais,
•
168
11 :: vicouri: i>i-: Hii.\f:i:i.<>.\.\i'..
i
tV<i
SUulthoMor ami tliosc of t.liR Kini,' of SiKiin arc fliild's play,
but when the dav conu's to carry thi-in out. I can do notiuu<?.""
" Voii wcukfu ."■ askfd Athcuais, in disdain.
" Shanicfidly."
" irnfortuuiitf nature," said Athenais. " Uut at least you
make a clioire '.' " , • i
•• Why. I'.o : I-'ate delii,'hts in thwartin-,' uie lu e very t Inn, l,'. I
dream of euiii(M(jrs and I liiid — ''
'• Aure : Auro '." exclaimed La Valliere, •' for pity's sake, do
not, for the pleasure of saying something wilty, saerifiee those
who love vou so devotedly."
" Oh, as for that, I trouble myself very little. Those who
love me are glad enough that I do not send them away, my
dear. So mueh the worse for me if 1 am weak; but so much
the worse for theai if I avenge myself on them ! "
" Aure : "
" You are right," said Athenais, " and perhaps you too will
reach the same goal. That is called being a coquette. You
see, young ladies, men who are silly in many things are espe-
cially so in that they confound under the term ' coquetry ' a
woman's pride and her fickleness. I am proud, that is, im-
pregnable ; I am harsli to my suitors, but I do not make any
])retence of retaining them. Men say that I am a cotpiette,
because they are vain enough to think that I want them.
Other women, Montalais, for instance, have let themselves be
influenced by flattery ; they would be lost were it not for that
fortunate resort of instinct which urges thein to change sud-
denly and punish the one whose homage they latelv accepted."
" A learned dissertation ! " said Montalais, in a tone of
thorough enjoyment.
" Odious ! ■' murmnred Louise.
" Thanks to this coquetry, for that is genuine coquetry,"
continued Mademoiselle de tonnay-Charentc, " the lover, who
was puffed up with pride a moment ago, a moment later is .suf-
fering in every pore of his pride. He was already beginning
to assume the airs of a conqueror — now he retreats; he was
about to protect —now he again prostrates himself. The result
is that instead of having a jealous, troublesome husband, we
have a lover always trembling, always fascinated, always sub-
missive, and for the simple reason that he finds an ever new
wife. There, young ladies, now be convinced of the a.ivantages
of coquetry. It is by that that one is queea among women,
117/1/ iri.s- >!//> r:
ynr.n the royai. oak. i
»>n
Wlli'ii ,,i|0 Ii;is not
!iuM
loi'civcd
iiii' one
(>1
i<>art .'uid iiiiiid j,, check.
'•|"ii <i'"l fho j.m'i.Hi.s f.KMiltv of
th
llow cicvt
lll'llll!
• I
llcsl
Chly y
you are .' ' said .Montal;
on understand tlio dutv of
lis.
aiKl
iinw
111! arranging a spefial case oif h
women
I
appiness," said Atl
'viiig natures a,
•• I^;i \'allit're d
mi (letcnding myself like all otl
Does she
I
;iinst the ojipression of the st
oes not say a word."
lor wea
•nger.
lonais
k l)iit
not approve of
us
nph do .lotun.lerstand yon,'" said Loui.se; ''you speak
Ilk ",^ who are not ea led to live on this earth.-^ ^^
A Hi ,t a pretty earth too ! " said Montalais.
•"■<•-.'^;.::;ini^;.l:^^'^Sk:'L^Sl'i"'^'''"^
^^'n.h he insults her when '';t lias fl:'^^^^^^
_■• \\ ho spoke lo you of falling? '" asked Louise
wmmm
does ., ,„.,.. 1 1 tuink and (,od understands me — never
•lots a man love passionate y unless he fe^ls ),„ ; , i i
'■•""hi be done when von hlTsH , ' -^ ^ ."""'^ ^'""" ^^'^^
I'l
170
THE VICOMTE DE liltAC EI.OWE.
Z' <'-<'■• -
will (lospiso mo; I defy him to do so, iiiiU'ss lie ht- the vilest of
men, and my heart is i,'uaiiintee that I woidd make no such
choice. My Klii'if'C will pay him for his sacntices, or will
inspire him with virtues he never thou^'ht he had."
" Hut, Louise,'' cried Montalais, '• you tell ug that and yet
you do not jjractise it."'
" What do you mean '.' "'
•' Vou are adored by Raoul de Urai^'elonne, who worships you
on both knees. The poor fellow is the victim of your virtue,
as he would be — even more than he would be — of my
co(pietry or of the pride of .\thenais."
" Alf this is simply a different form of cocpietry,'" said
Athenais, -'and Louise, L see, practises it without knowing
it."
'•Oh: ■' said La Valliere.
•• Ves ; you may <'all it instinct, keenest .sensibility, ex-
(piisite refinement of feeling, ])erpetual display of j)assionate
outbreaks which never end. Oh, it is very artful and very ef-
fective. Now that I think of it 1 should even have preferred
these tactics to my pride as a means of attacking men, because
it has the advantage of sometimes convincing ; but from now
on, without wholly condemning myself, I declare it to be
superior to the simple coquetry of Montalais.''
The two young girls began to laugh. La Valliere alone was
silent, and shook her head. Then after an instant :
"If you were to tell me one-ipuirter of what yiju have just
said before a man,'' said she, " or were I even convinced that
you believed it, I would die of shame and grief on the spot."
" Well, ilie, tender little one," replied Mademoiselle de
Tonnay-Charente, " for if there are no men here, there are at
least tWo women, your friends, who declare you to be attainted
and convicted of being an instinctive coquette, an ingenuous
co(iuette; that is the most dangerous kind in the world."
" Oh, girls I '' replied La Valliere. blushing and ready to
cry.
The two others again burst out laughing.
" Well, 1 shall ask Hrageloniiie."
" liragelonne ? '" '-aid Athenais.
" Yes ; he is as courageous as <';ttsar, as clever and witty as
M. FoiKjuet; poor fellow, for twelve years lie has known you.
loved you, and yet — if one must believe it — hu has uevei
so much as kissed the tips of your fingers."
WHIT WAS SMI) i:s
hi:/; THE lioy.iL o.iK. 171
I':.\pl;uii this cruelty, ydii woman of fWlin-r.'-
.said
Atl
it'iiais
I>i> yun deny
luT
til l.a \ alliere.
•• I can explain it in a sinf,'le wmd: virtue
the existence of virtue '/ ""
"Come, Louise,,!,, n,.t prevaricate,"' sai,l Aure. takin
lianil.
•• Hut u-i.at ,],. you want me U, tell you '.' " cri,-,! L;., Valliere
••What you will. Hut you will talk in vain, for I shall
persist m my opnuon of you. An instinctive co,niett,' an in-
«enu,.us ••o.p.ette, I rei.eat, which is the most ,lan-eron.s of
■• < »h. no : no : For pity's sake, ,lo n,.t think that ! "
'• U hat . Twelve years of absolute severity ' '"
" Oh twelve years ago I was ,jnly five. A <-hi!,rs frivolity
cannot be coiinteil a^'ainst a voung j,'irl."
•• Well, now you are seventeen : tln-ee years instea.l of twelve
h,u- three yeans 3 on have been c.mst.antly ami wholly cruel'
\.)u have again.st vuu the silent w,jo,ls of" Hh.is, the meetinL;-
places where one counts the stars, the nightly seances under
the plantain trees, his twenty years speaking to your fourteen,
the tire of his eye.s speaking to you yourself."
'■ Y'es, yes, but so it is ! "
"Come, now ; it is impossible ! "'
" Hut, for goodness sake, why ':' "
^ ^1 Tell us something credible, my dear, and we will l,elieve
•• Hut suppose (me thing ? *'
" What'' Come, now."
"(Jo on, or we may imagine more than you wish "
^^^^^- Suppose, then, that I thought myself in love and that I am
•' What ! not in love ? "'
'■ ^Vhat <'an you expect? If I haye acted differently from
others when they love, it is because I have not love,l ; it is
tx'i'ause my time has not vet come."
••L,nase: Louise!" said Montalais, ''take care or 1 .shall
n'iniu,! you of what you .said just now. Raoul is not here ; do
"i"t inish him while he is absent; be charitable, and if on
I'-kmg m,,re closely you think you do not love him, tell hhn
s'l. po,)r fellow I
And she began to laugh.
'•-'ust now mademoiselle was pitying M. de Guiche," said
r''k
I
17-2 THE VICOMTK Di: BRAG E LOS XE.
Atliiniiis ; •• (Mtiiiiit tin' oxjilariatioTi of tins iiidiffert'iice for tlio
OIH' lir fouilil ill lliT cotiiiiussioii for the other'.'"
"(Jo oil. mt»s(U>iiiois('llt!s, " said La Naliirfc; •• <iiii(lt'iiiii iiic,
smci' yoii do not understand me."
" < Ml I oh I " re|ili<'d .Montalais, " teiiijier, sorrow, tears ; \vp
are Joking;. Louise: we ai'e not, I assure yoii, i[uite the monsters
you tiiink iis. I^ook at .\tiienais the proud, as siie is caUed ; she
does not love M. de Montesjian, it is true, hut slie would lie in
despair if .M. de Montespan did not love her. Look at me. I
lauf^h at "SI. .Malieorne, hut, poor fellow, he well knows when
he must raise my hand to his lips. And then the tddest of \is
is not twenty. What a fiiture ! "
•• Foolish i,drls tliat yon are I " mui'mured Louise.
'• That is true." said Montaiais, ■• and you alone ha\e spoken
wtirds of wisdom."
" Certainly.''
" Granted." replied .\thenais. •' So you really do not love
this poor M. de r)ra<,'eloniie '! "'
>• Perhajis,'" said Montaiais; "she is not yet ([uite sure,
r.ut in any ease, listen, Athenais. If .\L de |{raL,'tdonne be-
comes free, I will ^'ive you the ailviee of a friend.'"
•• What is that?"
'■ To look at him well before ih»eidin^' in fa\oi- of >L de
Montespan."
<' Oh, if you h>ok at the matter in that lif,dit, my dear, M. de
Urat^elonne is not the only one at whom one finds pleasure in
lookini;. For instance, ^L de (riiiche has liis value also."
" Hedid not sliine this evenini,'," said Montaiais, "and 1 know
from p;ood authority that ^^a(lame found him disai^M-eeahle."
'' yX. de Saint-.\i^niaM was brilliant, and I am sure that more
than one who saw him dance will nut soon for<j;et him. Ls it
not so, La \'alliere ? "
" Whv do vou ask me '.' I did not see him, nor do I know
him."'
■' Von did nut see ^L de Saint-AiLjnan '.' Vou do not know
him '.' '"
" No."'
" Come, come I Do not ju'etend a virtue more affected than
our pride. Vou have eyes, have you not ".' "'
" E.xcellent t)iies.""
" In that case you must have seen all our dancers this
eveniu''.""
ir//.ir rr.i.s m//> r.v/.A-/,- rm: rcym. oak. 17:5
Is it M. (1(< Siiiiit-AiKnai:, M. de
•• \t's, nearly ai]/'
•• That • nearly all ' is very iinpf.iliii.Mit."
•• I K'\'<' it yuu for what it is."
•' W.'ll co.ue ! Anums ' nearly all ' the ^-entlenien that vnu
saw which do you j)refer '.'" '
'• \'e.s," said Moiitalai.s.
•inichc, .M, - - "'
•• I I'lefer no one ; I find them all exaeflv alike"
:•""•■" ••.all that brilliant assend,la.re-in the'midst of the
••'"••I '""It ot tiie world no on.' pleased you •• '•
" 1 did not sav tiiat."
'• Well, speak", then Con.e, share your ideal with us."
Jle IS not an ideal.'
'• He exists, then '.' "'
'• li.-ally,- cried La VallieNre, at her wits' end, " I do not
unders and what you mean. Vou have a heart like ,e a
';>';.s l.ko me, and yet you can speak of M. .le (Juiche o M e
These words, uttered hastily, in a troubled, fervent tone
;!;;,-' ;■•;;..; tl.e^K.H on eaeh side of her an
__ -I^TlH' Kuig!" cried Montalais and Athenafs at the same
La Vnlliere let her head drop forward in her han.is " The
K.n-^ : the Kins ' she murmured. - ILvve you e e seen inv
one equal to the King'.'" .> j>i . \t i seen an_y
'•Vou were right just now in saying that vou ha.l ex..ellent
^}es. Louise, for you see a great distance, too far alas • T le
Kmg.s not of those at whom our poor e^es h"; a^ighj to
. •• Oh, it is true! it is true ! " cried La Valliere. .. It is not
,..veu to a 1 eyes to look at the sun, but ! shall look at i eve
^^••■'••' 1 to bec.mie blind bv so doing " '
At that moment, as though caused by the words whi.d. had
Ji^t escajied from La Valliere-s lii.s a rustlin.. i„ tl,l
;";;i .1..- Mvi.,, of .,i,k s„,„„,.„ b.',,;;,;', r';: 1, ,";:;::
I... "iLi;;';;;:.;,™.' '"" ■'■""''■= '° ■«= «- -"j-- «■'-■'■ .•-''"
run ;'■''' " ";' """" "' " "■'''* ■*""'" "'*'' """talnis. '• Let us
174
I in: vicnMii: />/■: nnA'-Kt.oxxi:.
v;:i
Ami tilt' tliit'c yniiiiL; ^'iils idsf, ;i prcv u> ;iii iiidcHriiliiiMp
terror, ;iiiil tlcil liy tin' fiist jcitli, not- .stopping; till tln'v liiid
reii('he<l the I'd^'f ol' the woods.
ThtTi', out oi l)r»>atli, leaning aj^aiiist one anothi'i', tt'cliiii,'
ihcir hearts lieatiii;^ wildlv, tliey strove to colli'ct their senses,
b\it suereedeil only after several Moments, finally seeiiij;
li^jhts in the direction of the ehfitean, they decided to ^'o
thither.
La Valliere was e.xhaiisted with fatigue. Aiue and .Vtlienais
had to support her.
" Oh, we hav(! hail a narrow esc;ipe I " said .Montalais.
" dirls,"" eried La Valliere, " I am afraid it was something'
worse than a wolf. .Vs for me. — and I am saying- e.xaetly what
1 think, I would a thousand times rather run the risk of
bein<; (levoured by a wild beast than to have been overheard.
Oh, fool, fool that I am. how eoidd i have thoti^dit, how could
I have dared to say such things I "
Thereupon her head droojied like that of a reed. She felt
her limbs tremble ; her strength failed her and she sank, almost
lifeless, from the arms uf her companions down on the grassy
path.
CHArTER XXI 1 1.
THr, KIN(i S ANXIKTY.
Let us leavp poor La Valliere half uneonscious in the arms
of lu'r comiianions and return to the vicinity of tlie royal oak.
The three young girls had gone scarr-ely twenty steps before
the souuil wl'.ich had so terrified them increased ;uuoug the
branches. .\ figure more distinctly revealed as it parted the
hraiu'hes appeared on the edge of the woods, and seeing the jilace
empty, burst out laughing.
It is useless Xo say that the figure was tliat of a young and
handsonu' gentUunan. He instantly signed *:o another, who
appeared in his turn.
" Well, Sire," said the second, advancing timidly, '• has your
Majesty frightened away our young sentimentalists '.' "'
" So it appears,'" said the King ; •• you may show yourself
with perfect safety, Saint- .\ignau.'"
Till: Kl.\<;'s I \ \ //;■■/■}■
Lt.>
" lint. Sir.', you will 1„. rw•()^;„iyp,l -
'• Hut I tfll y„„ they have gone "
K.;,r»,™;ti;-;-,r:;;'?;,:r,;:;rL'^'''"-'^'-^''^"«
" I lit'\ ;ui' tar away '
•• How so, Monsieur Cnxcoml,'-
".^:T™.;:;^;":;;xirz."' ■ '""""^- >"■»
Ti:;-»„':i:;:';:;^:;;::;,':;;;;;;;„j«fi"«""'" ^--a,,
•• Ffow so?"
" (ladzooks I liv their vnicrw ti „ u i
:^..;| t.e one who U^oJ^^ha/^^S^^^ j ^ -"- ^
.,• «l?teov" '"'" ''^^^^-^^^ ''^ '^^^-^ yoursel^e /nHueneed
" Xo one will ever say that you employ that means "
< »:., pardon me, Sire. I am stupid, ,s{upid ! '
^; <oiue uow, let us look where I tol.lvoi "
already foj^^ti:;:^^'^ ^^'"■' ^''^ ^^"^'^^'^ *^ "-' ^-'^ ; is -t
;; ^vi'.il'i^^'v''^'" '^^-^ ^" ^I'arming a voice ! "
" The one who loves the sun."
" yi. de Saint-.VifTiian!"
" I'ardon, Sire."
suo,^v!,h.es a" wJ;^l'^■'■^^'; ^^^^^^'^ ^^^'^^^ t^at T like
'• Huw .so '.' ■'
ill
f
!'■<
i|
'. i
5^1 '^-^ I
170
77//; vicoMTH /)/■: iiii.\<n:!ji\xH
should spoak to mc ahout it l shall know who lias betraved
my '.'onfideiice."'
" You are provoked, Sire ! "
"No, hut you understand I do not wish to ooUipromi.se this
poor \x\v\."'
'• Sire, fear nothinj,'."
" Yo\i jirouiise lue ".' ''
" Sire, I f,nve you my word."'
" (iood,'" thought the King, loughing to himself, "every one
will know to-morrow tliat to-nigiit I ran after La Valliere."
Then, endeavoring to see wliere he was :
" Wliy, we are lost ! " said he.
" Oh, not seriously."
" Where does that gate lead to ? "
" To Eond-l'oint, Sire."'
•• Wliere wo were going wht . we heard the sound of
women s voices '.' "'
" Yes, Sire, and the end of a eonversatifm in which I had
the honor of hearing my name uttered bv tiie si le of vour
Majesty's."'
" You return very often to that, Saiut-Aiguan."
" Your -Maje.sty will forgive me, but I am delighted to
know that there is a woman who is thinking of ine, without
my Knowledge and without my having done anything towards
helping It on. Your Majesty cannot comprehend this feeling
of satisfaction, you whose rank and merit evervwhere attract
attention and oinpel love."
" Why, no, Sai..t-Aignan, b.4ieve me or not, as vou please,"
said the King, leaning familiarly on Saint-.\ignaii"s arm, and
taking the road he thought would lead to the chateau, "but
this innocent confidence, this wholly <lisiiitereste(i preference
of a wiuuan wlio perhaps will neveV attract mv attention, —
in a word, ihe mystery of this adventure excites'me, and trulv
if I were not so taken witli La ^'alliere — '"
" Oh, do not let that hinder your Majestv ; vou have time
before you. "
" flow so?"
"They say La Yalliere is '-cry prudish."'
" You excite me, Saint- Aignan ; I want to see her a-^ain
(;onie. come." The King was falsifving ; nothing, o.i thc'con-
trary, could make hini less anxious ; but he had a role to play.
lie began to walk ipiickly ; Saint-Aignaii followed him, keep-
11
w Wm
•■HELP' HELP- CRIED TWO VOICES.
~-^-
v. *l
THE KlXa's .{yXiKTY.
Ill
Ing at a slight distance. Suddenly the King stopped, and the
fourtier toliowed his example.
" Saint-Aignan," said he, "do you not hear uioans ? '"
•• Ves ; listen."
" Yes, and crying too. it seems to me."
" It is from this direction." said the King
'at sounds like the tears, tlie sobs of a woman," said M
lie Saint-Aignan.
'• Let us hasten on !"
The King and the favorite, taking a cross path, hastened
on tlirougii the grass.
A.s tliey advanced the crying grew more distinct.
" Help! help !" cried two voices
The young men redoubled their sj.eed. As they drew nearer
t le sigiis became moans.
" Help : help !" was repeated
-n.u^qSli" '^" ^^'"^ '""^ ^''' """^""''"" ''""''^^l "" «^ill
Smhlenly, on the other side of a ditch, beneath the droouin..
branches of some willow.s, they perceived a woman on her knees"
iH.ldmg another woman who had fainted. A few feet awav
stoud a third in the mid.ile of the road, calling f'u- help ^
< >n perceiving the two gentlemen, of who.se rank she was
.gnorant. the shouts of the woman becan.e louder than ever
1 iic Ivng who was ahead of his companion, leaped across
H. d, ch and came up.m the group at the very moment when
1 ...a the en.l ot the path which led m the direction of the
.•l.ateau a dozen or more persons advanced, drawn bv the .same
■nes winch had attracted the King and M. de Saint-Aignan
••\ hat IS the matter, mesdemoiselles '.' "' demanded L.mis
•Ihe King!' cned Mademoiselle de Montalais, in her
astonishment letting go of La Valliere's head, which fell back
"poll tlu! grass.
'• Ves, the King. JJut that is no reason for aband.)ning your
companion. W ho is she ? " o.>"i'i
"Mademoiselle de la Valliere, Sire."
" ^rademoiselle de la Valliere?"
" She has just fainted."'
.,„'.;,;!;,''■,'» ''"*''' *^- ^^"'- "P"<^' child! Quick! quick! a
l?'.t notwithstanding the agitation with which he uttered
Vol. II. — 12
m
■.%
\ if
I'm
17H
THE VICOMTE 1>E HRAGELONNE.
these words Louis had not such good control over himself but
that thev, as well as the gesture which accoini-auied them, ap-
peared somewhat cold to M. de Saint-Ai-uan, to whom the
Kins had confided the secret of tue intense love wita which
he was inspired.
" Saint- \i-Mian," continued the Kin;^. " watch over . ladcmoi-
selle de la Valliere, 1 be- of you. Call a M.r-eon. 1 /^ill go
ami inform Madame of the a.rulent which has befallen her
maid of ionor."'
Vnd while M. de Saint- Ai-^ian was engaged lu carrying
Mademoiselle de la Valliere to the chateau the King hastened
forwar.l, happv at finding this opportunity to see Madame aim
to be able t,)" speak to lier under a plausible pretext, tortu-
nately a carriage was passing, the coachman was ordered to
stop, and those who were driving, hearing of the iu'.ident,
ha'itened to give up their places to Mademoiselle de la \ alliere.
The current of air caused by the rapid driving promptly
restored the invalid to consciousness. Arrived at the (diliteau,
although verv weak, she was able to step out of the carriage,
and with the^assistance of Athenais and Montalais reached the
inner apartments. They made her sit down in a room on the
ground floor. Then, as the accident had not produced much
etfeet on the promenaders, the walk was resumed.
Meanwhile the Kiug had found Madame beneath a tree; lie
seated himself beside her, while his foot gently sought hers
under her (hair.
<' Take care, Sire,'" said Henrietta m a low tone, "you do
not seem like a man who is indifferent."
" Alas ! " replied Louis XIV. in the same tone, "I greatly
fear that we have made a compact \)eyond our strength."
Then aloud :
" Did you hear of the accident ? "
" What accident ? "
" Oh, forsooth, on seeing you I forgot that I came on ])ur-
pose to tell you of it. However, I am i)ainfully affected by it^;
one of vour maids of honor, poor La Valliere, has just lamted.
" Air, poor child ! "' said the princess, calmly. - what was the
cause of it ? ''
Then in a low tone : ,• .. u
•• Hut vou du not remember. Sire ; you are pretending to be
iu love with this girl, and yet you stay here while she may be
dying elsewhere."
THK KlXrrs SEiRET.
179
" Ah, Madame," said the Kin-, si-hii.-r, " how much better
you are in your role than I ; how you tliink of evervthiiitr ' "
He arose. "
"Ma(huue,'- said ho in a sufficientlv loud tone to be heard
by every one; •• i.ormit me to leave you ; my anxiety is Lneat •
I am desirous ot tindin- out for myself if .suitable care ha.s
been f,'iven her.
.Vnd Louis XIV. left to return again to La \'alliere, while all
those who had been present commented upon the Kind's 'vords
'• my anxiety is great." '
CHAPTER XXIV.
P
THE KING S SECRET.
^V\^^ Z^^' ^°'"^ ""'^* *''*" ^'^'"'^^ ^^^ ?^aint-Aignan.
"Uell, Saint-Aignan," he demanded, with affected concern.
" how is the patient?" '
" Why, Sire " stammered Saint-Aignan, " I confess to my
shame that 1 do not know." ^
"Vou do not know?" said the King, pretending to take
seriously this la(3k of interest in the object of his affection
"Sue, pardon me, but 1 have just met one of our three
dryads, and I admit that this distracted me."
'• Ah, you found them, ' said the King, hastily
"The one who deigned to speak so flatteringly of me And
having found mine, I was looking fur yours, Sire, v hen I was
tortunate enough to meet your Majestv."
'•That is well ; but Mademoiselle de la Vallieie first of all "
s.iKl the King, true to his part. '
" nov^ beautiful and interesting she is," .said Saint-Aignan.
• and how fortunate it was she fainted when she did, since
your ^lajesty had been talking about her."
seo'ic^"-' *^'*^ "'""'' "^ ^°"'" "^"'i'^'' Saint-Aignan; is it a
'■ Sire, it ought to be a secret and a very great one even ; but
tor you, your Majesty knows very well that there is no secret "
" Her name, then ?"
" it is Mademoiselle de Tonnav-Charente "
"Is she beautiful ?"
^
\\
iP* 'i"^^
180
77//; VICOMTE DE HHA'i ELONNE.
" Hpyond ( oncfpl ion, Sire, and I rccoK'iii/.i'd tlio vniro wliioli
pronounced niv name so renderly. I approached her. .pies-
tioned her as n'lucli us 1 rduhl in the midst of tlie crowd, and
she told me witliout s\ispectin^' at.ythin<,' that a short lime
a"o she and her two friends had l)een at the jrreat oak when
the sound of a wolf or a robber frightened them and made
them run awav."'
" Hut," demanded the King, quickly, " what was the name
of these two friends?"'
" Sire,'" said Saint-Aignan, " your Majesty may send me to
the Bastille."
'• Why ■' "
" Because I am an egoist and a fool. My surprise was so
great at such a coiupiest and at so fortunate a discovery that I
staved there. Besides I did not think that, preoccui)ied as yon
were with Mademoiselle de la Vallit-re, your Majesty \yould
attach any great imiiortance to what you had heard. Then
Mademoiselle de Tonnay-Charente left me hurriedly to return
to Mademoiselle de la Valliere."
'• Well, let us hope I shall have an e([ual chance with you,
Saint-Aignan."' ,,-,,,.
" Mv King has ambition. I see. and he will let no conquest
escape' him. Well, I promise him that I shall search conscien-
tiously, and besides, from one of the three ti races we can
find out the names of the others, and with the name, the
sGcrct
•• oil, I, too," said the King. " have (mly to hear her voice to
recognize it. But let us rpiit talking and go to this poor La
Valhere." . , .
«' Well " thought Saint-Aignan, " here, m truth, is a passion
beginning to dawn, and for this youuggirl too; it is extraordi-
nary; I never would have believed it.""
Whereupjin he showed the King the room to which La \ alliere
had been brought, and the King entered. Saint-Aignan fo'-
lowed him. .
In a low room, before a window opening upon tlie lawns, sat
La Valliere in a deep armchair, inhaling hmg draughts of the
perfumed night air. From her loosened bodice the lace icll
in tumbled folds, mingling with her beautiful blond curls,
which lay in masses on her shoulders. H<;r languishing eyes,
in which burned a dull fire, were hlled with tea-s; she resem-
bled one of those beautiful visions of our dreams which pass
THE KlXrrs SIJRET.
181
jtalo and mystic before the closed eves of tlie sleeper, oneninfr
their ./mgs without movin.,' tlieii!, their lii)s with.mt utterliH'
a sound.
'I'he pearl-like pallor of La Valliere possessed a charm ini-
]i()ssible tj describe ; mental and bodily siif?eriii<,' had <,'iven to
liersentle feature^ a noble expression of f,M-ief : the absolute
imssivenessof her arms and bust made her resemble one who
lias passed away rather than a livinj,' bein^'. She seemed to
hear lu'ither the whisperiiii,'s of her companions nor the distant
niiiriuurs which arose from the vicinity. She was talking to
herself, and from time to time her slender, delicate hands
trembled as if in contact with some invisible pressure. She
did not see the King as he entered, so deeply was she absorbed
in her revei-ie.
Fn.m a distance he saw her lovely face, on which the moon
was shedding its pure silvery light.
".My God!" he cried, in involuntary fright, ".she is
dead ! "
"Xo, Sire," said Montalais in a low tone, "on the contrary
she is better, are you not, Louise ? "'
La Valliere did not answer.
"Louise," continued Montalais, "the King deigns to be
anxuius about your health."
'•The King!" cried Louhse, suddenly starting up as if a
stream of fire had darted from her limbs to her heart • " the
King is anxicms about me ? " '
" Yes," said Montalais.
" The King is here, then ? ''
look around.
•' That voice ! that voice ! "
Aignan's ear.
'• Why, yes," replied Saint-Aignan, "your Majesty is right-
she IS the one who loves the sun."
'• Hush : " said the King.
Then approaching La Valliere :
" You are ill, mademoiselle ? Just now in the park I saw-
that you had fainted. How were you attacked ? "
"Sire," stammered the poor child, pale and trembling,
• really I cannot tell." ^
" You walked too far," said the King, " and pe haps
fatigue — ' If
" No, Sire," replied Montalais, quickly answering for her
' said La Valliere, not daring to
said Louis quickly into Saint-
18:
THE VIVOMTE l)E lill.\(; EI.OSS E.
friend, " it oould not liiivo lu'cn fatigiip, for wr spent a part
Oi the evei.inLC Ht'atf>tl umUm- the royal oak."
"Till' royal oak '.'" asked the M'wvj, with a start. " I was
not deceived, tlien ; it is indeed as 1 thoiij,ht." And he ^danced
at the eount with a knowing look.
"Oh, yes,'" said Saint-Aignan, "under the royal oak with
Mademoiselle de Tonnay-Ch irente.""
" How do you know that ".' " asked .Montalais.
" Very easily ; ^..„delnoiselle de Tunnay-Charente told ine of
if
" Tlien she must have told you the cause of La Valliere's
fainting-tit als(j '.' "
"The deuce! she spoke to me uf a wolf or of a robbei ,
I do not I'emendicr whicli."
La Valliere lirjtened with tix^d eyes, her bosom heaving, as
if she foresaw a part of the trutli, thanks to her acute i)ercep-
tion. Louis took her numner and nervousness for uhe effects of
fright, from which she had only i)artly recovered.
" Fear nothing, nuidemoiselle,'" said he, with a dawn of an
emotion lie could not hide ; •' this wolf which caused you such
fear was simjily a wolf with two feet.'"
" .\ nnin ! a man I "" cried Louise. '• Was there a man there
listeinng '.' "'
•• Well, mademoiselle, v>hat great wrong was there in having
listened '.' Could you in your own opinion have said tilings
which should not have been heard ? '"
La Valliere wrung her hands, and raised them (jnickly to her
face, trying to I.ide her blushes.
"Oh,'" she asked, '-in heaven's name, who was hidden'?
Who overheanl '.' "'
The King advanced to take one of her hands.
" It was L mademoiselle," said he, bowing with gentle re-
spect; " could I j>ossil)ly inspire you with fear?''
La Valliere gave a great cry. Then a second time her
strength left her, and cold, moaning, and in despair, she fell
back unconscious in her chair.
The King had time to )>ut out his arm, so that she was half
sustained by him.
Two feet from them stood Mesdemoiselles de Tonnay-Char-
ente and Montalais, who, motionless and petrified at the re-
membrance of their conversation with La Valliere, did not
even think of helping her, restrained as they were by th^ pres-
THE K/y.
fiice of the Kiiirr, wlio. with <i
N'allitTf mound the waist.
" And Vdu overheard, Sire '.' ""
lint the Kin>,' did not leply
liaii'dosed eyes oi' La \'allieri
iiwn.
silciiET.
188
10 khee on tlie Hour, lielil La
iiuiriniired
; liis tjlanci
lie hehl her
Athenais.
was tixed on tlie
iileless liand in his
'• By lieaven ! " re])iied SaintAi<,'naii, who hoped lor Mis own
sal<e tliat Madenioisolie de Tonnay-Cliarcnte would faint, and
u h() advanced with open arms, '• we did not lose one word."
I!ut the han.tjhty Athenais was not the woman to faint; she
liirew a terrible ^lanee at Saint-Ai:j:n:in and left the room."
Montalais. more eourageous, went (juicklv to L(.ui.se, and re-
ceived iier from the arms of the Kinj,'. who", on feelin;,' his faet^
rovered hy the perfumed tresses of tlie apparently <lviiif,' j,''irl,
was begiiininj,' to lose his head.
•• (Jood : ■' said Saint-Aiguan ; " this is an adventure, and it
wdl be my fault if I am not the first to relate it."
Louis went to him with trembling' voiee and hand uprai.sed
"Count," said lie, '• not a word."
The poor Kint,' forgot that one hour before he liad given the
same warning to the same man, with an entirely opj)osite in
tentiou, as he then desired the man not to heed his words.
Anil this second warning was as superfluous as the former.
Half an liour later all Fontainebleau knew that Mademoisellf
de la Valliere had had a co,iversati(m with Montalais and Tou-
n;iy-('harente beneath the royal oak, and that in this conver-
sation she had confessed her love for the King. It was known,
also, iliat Louis after he had shown all the anxiety inspired
l)y :\rademoiselle de la Valliere's condition, had turned pale and
li;id trembled at receiving the beautiful, unconscious girl in his
iirms. So that it was wholly decided among the courtiers that
tlie greatest event of the pei^iod had just been revealed ; that
Ins Majesty loved Mademoiselle de la Valliere ; and that eonse-
ipiently Monsieur could sleep in perfect peace.
This is what the queen mother, as sur])rised as the others at
tins sudden turn, hastened to tell the young Queen and l'hilipi)e
d'Orleans. But in attacking them, .she set to work in different
iiianners. To her daughter-in-law, s'. .> said :
" See, Therese, how wrong you were to accuse the King ; he
IS m love with some one else to-day. Why should there be any
more truth in today's report than in yesterday's, or iu ye.ster-
day's than to-day's ? " •' ■ J
i
i
V
.n
184
77//; vicoMTi-: />/•; lUiA'.FLo.wf-:.
Ill iclatiiii,' 1 .MciMsiciir the iKlveiitiiit' of tlie myiil oak she
said : " Aic voii imt aliMud in yonr jfaloiisy,iny dear IMiilipp*'?
It is said that tli<' Kin^' lias lost his heart to tliat little La
Vallit'i-e. l)i) iii't speak of it to your wile; the Qiieeu would
soon know it.''
This last coiitideiice had its iiniiiediate result.
Monsieur, rea.ssured, trinniphantly soii^'ht his wife, ami as it
■was not yet niidni<,'ht. and as the fete was to last until two
u'clock ill the iiiornin^', he offered her his arm for the prom-
enade Then having,' taken a few steps, the lirst thing he did
was to disobey his mother.
" Do not tell the <.)ueen all that is said about the King," said
he, mysteriously.
" \Vhat is said '.' " asked Madame.
'• That my brother has suddenly become possessed of a strange
passion.''
" For whom ? "
<• For that little La Valliere."
It was dark and M.idame could smile at her ease.
" Ah : '■ said she, -and how long has this been going on ? "
'* For several days, it seems. Hut it has only been smoking,
and not until this evening did his love show itself."
" The King has good taste," said Madame. " And in my
opinion the little girl is eharming."
" You seem to be jesting, my dear."
"I! How so?"
" At any rate, this fancy will make one person hapi)y, even
if it is only La Valliere."'
" But," continued the princess, " you speak, Monsieur, as if
you had read deep in the heart of my maid of honor. Who
told you that she returned the King's passion ? "
•' And who told you that she did not'"'
'• She loves the Vieomte de Brageloune."
•' Ah, yon think so ? ''
<■ She is even betrothed to him.''
" She was.''
" What do you mean '.'"'
•' Why, when the King was asked for permission to conclude
the marriage he refused it."
" Refused ■.' "
" Yes, although it was to the Comte de la Fere himself,
whom, as you know, the King honors with great esteem
TiiF. Kistrs si:< ni.r.
18;-)
"11 ruvoiint of tl.o part I..^ pl.iypd in tli.- iPstoration of v„i,r
hn.tli.T and in several otlior a»Tair.s ;\ Inch happened some time
'l,!^0-
•• Well, the poi.r lovers must wait, until it pleases the Kuil'
to '•liunge his mind; they are yum-; there is plenty of
time. -^
•• All ! my love," said Philippe, Iaiij,'hinK' i" his turn, "I see
thai you do not know the best part of the story."
"The ]>art whieh atTects the King!"
'•The King affeeted ;'"
" To his iieart."
" Hut how ? Tell me quickly I oonie."
*• l'>y a most romantie adventure."
"Vou know liow much I love adventures, yet you make me
wait, said the princess, impatiently.
•• Well _ " » J
^Joiisieur paused.
" I am listening."
'■ Heneath the royal oak —you know where that is? "
" No matter; U-neatJi the royal oak, you say '.'"
" Well, thinking herself alone with'two friends. Mademoi-
■^elle de la Valliere confided to them her love for the King."
•' All ! " said Madame, beginning to be uneasy, '• her love for
the King ? "
•' Ves."
'• And when was this V "
" A short time ago."
Madame started.
" And no one knew of this love ? "
" Xo one."
'• Not even his Majesty ? "
'• Not even his Majesty. The little lady kept her secret
-tnctly to herself, when suddenly it became too strong for her
uiul escaped."
" And how did you hear this absurd tale '.' "
" \'^'hy, just as every one else did."
•• I'^rom whom did every one else hear it ? "
" From La Valliere herself, who confessed her love to her
■■"iiipanions, Montalais and Tonnay-Charente."
•Madame stopped and suddenly dropped her husband's hand
'• hhe made this avowal an hour ago ? " asked ^fadame
iiS
ism
'I
1 ■
\\m
■vi'r^
186
■////•; vi< uMii: i)E nn.xGErnsNK.
" Aliiiiil t liat tlliii'."
" l>in's llif l\lli,.,' know (pf it '.' "
•• W'liV. tlilll is jlisl tin' |ii>ilit nl tlic wlinlc tliitl',' : tllf KlM«
Wiis .villi Saiiil-Ai^'iiim Iwliiiid Ilif rny;ii oak. ami lifanl all
tins iiitt'ii'stiiii,' coiivfrsatioii without losm^' a siii.,'li' woid."
Matlaiiif Iclt wo\iii(lc(l to the licail.
'• Kut," said slu', <lul.y, " I liiv\<' sfcu Ihc Kiip^' since and he
did not tfll Mil' a siiiL,'lt' word of ail thin."'
'• \\\ heaven !" said Moii>ieMi-, in the innocent niaiuier ct' a
husliand ulio trinniidis, "he was caret'nl not to speak oj il to
you iiinisell since he cautioned e\ery one not to tell you ot it.'"
'• 1 don't understand you'.'"' said .Madame, iiritatecj.
'• I saitl iliat they wished to keep you i^'iioiaiit ol it."
'• Why should they hid. it from me'.""
'• I""oi- fear that your frieiidsliip would lead you lo leveal
Something; to the yoiin^' (,>ueen, thai is all.""
.Mailame loweieil her head ; she was mortally hint. She
could have no luiilier peace until she had iiiel llie Iviii;,'. since
;i nionarch is \eiy naturally the last one in the kin.,'dtim who
knows what is said of him, and a lover is tlie only one who is
ignorant of what is said of his mistress.
When the Kinj,' saw Madanio was lookin.L,' for him, lie came
to her .somewhat troubled, but still attentive ami graci(/us.
Maihune waited for him to be the first to s|>eak of La Valliere.
Then as he did not alluile to her;
"^^'llat (d the poor yuiini^ girl '.' "" she asked.
'■ Wliat young girl '.'"" said the King.
" La Valliere. Did you not tell me, Sire, that she had
fainted ? "'
"She is still very ill," said the King, affecting the greatest
indifference.
'■ lint that will harm the rumor you were to spread. Sire."
'• What rumor ■.'■'
'• That you were attentive to her."
" Oil I 1 hoi>e it will be rejiorted just the same."' replied the
King, abstractedly.
Still .^Lldame waited ; she wished to see if the King would
alludt' to the adventure of the royal oak himself.
Hut Louis did not mention it. Madame never referred to it,
and the King took leave of her without having confided io her
anything about it.
Scarcely had she seen the King depart than she sought Sainv
.W:=4
Ai^uan II.. was easy to f,,,,! ; I,o was like tl„. sim.s t},.,t al-
ways follow in th<" wak.- of lar-.r vrss.'is
SaiMt-Ai^'n:,,, was ju.f tl,.- ,„;.,. Mada.n. n....,!.,! i,, I,,.,' ^tate
-f .mn,i at that uifnval. II,. u;,s Io„ki,„. lor ;.„ .. „• u.Z
uor,.y,l,anth,...tlKM.si,,,owh„.h 1„. , .f , • ...., 1 .n'.', ^
n Mm. ,.,,,so. ... So ,.. ,I>,1 not span. Ma,l:nn.. a sn.,1.. unnl.
W hi.|i !i(. 'laU tllilslini : .-,11.
■• ' "Hh.ss,- sai.l Ma.la.iH.. •■ tl.at tins is a.lianun,^ invnuio,, -
" llivnitloli, no ; Jiict, yes.'
"l'<.Ml..ss that whrth..r invrnlioM ortruih, vo,, nv,-.. tol,l i
as ,,,,1 tnl It to mi', h,.t that you wer,. „ot i.ivM.nf
'• .Wadaiiif, iipoii iiiv lioiior 1 was th(.n. "
^^ •• A.Hl you think that avowal n.a,!.. a,, inquoss.on on tl
It
Aslh.t ot Ma.h.n,o,s,.lh. ,1,. Tonnay.Chan.nt.. on n,..," ,-..-
.1 .sa,nt-A,,uan |. L.st.-n. MaWan,.. ; MaJnuorsHh. W. la
\. ill .'IV ..onipar,.,! tin. K.n.^a,, the snn : that was th.M.Tin-r"
^^ _• llu' Km;,' dues i,ot let hin,.sH»' he intinen-e,! hy sneirflut-
•■ .Madame, the King is at i-a.st jnst as nin. 1, a man as a
>un.^a,nl, .awhuuawh.lea,owhen ha Valhere fauUed ia
'• l.a \'alliere in the arms of the Kin^'■.' "
••nh, it u-asa pretty pn^ture ; in.agine it: l.a \-alliere fell
■' U i-'ll, wliat did you see ? Tell nie "
" 1 sau- what ten'others saw at the sanie tin,e as I myself-
;:nvhat^ wnen la ValUere fell into his arms the Kin^h.:
-'■■I almost fainted. '
^ ^ Ma.hune gave a little ery, the only indi..ation of her sn.oth.
;:''''';'"k .Y<ui,- said she. laughing hvstpri..allv. '■ you are ;
uel ghttul story-teller, M. de Saint-Ai^nian "
the ^hlltSr '"'^ '''"'"'' '''"''^"°' "''' ^^"'"'^'^ '"^■=^>' '"-'"••1^
M
m
-;ii.^;>-i/;
188
THE VICOMTE HE BHAGELOXNE.
CHAPTER XXV.
NIGHT.
MoNsiFUK hail left the piinooss in the best possible humor,
an<l ;is he was very tired, lie retired to his apartments, leaving
the others to tiiiish the nii^ht as they pleased. He bes^aii his
toiler tor the night with a care which evinced itself at times
in ])aroxysins of satisfaction.
So while his valets went on with their work he huiunicd the
jirincijial airs of the ballet whicii the violins had played and
■which the King had danced. Then lie summoned ids tailors,
liad them show iniii his clothes for the following day, and as
he was pleased with them, he distributed several ocins among
tlieia. Finally, when the Chevalier de TiOrraine, who had seen
him return, entered .Monsieur overwhelmed him witii kindness.
Tiie latter, after saluting the prince, was silent for an in-
stant, like a captain of sharp-shooters who is deciding on wnat
])oint he will ojjen tire ; tiien seeming to have decideil he said:
•• Have \(>u noticed a strange thing, mv lord '.'"'
'• No. Wliat is it ? "
'• The bail reception his .Majesty ajjparently gave the Comte
de (iuiche.''
" .\piiareiitly ? "'
" Ves, since in reality he was returneil to favor."
" Why. I did not see that." said the prince.
"What! you did not see 1'. at instead of sending I'm back
into exile, as would have been natural, he sanetioncd his strange
resistance by allowing iiini to return to his place intiie ballet '.' "'
•'And you think tlie King was wrong, clievalicr '.' '' asked
.^^lnsicur.
" -Vre you not of my opinion, ])rince ? "'
" Not entirely, chevalier, an.l I apiirove the King's not hav.
ing shown anger against a \v3oi' fellow who is more foolish than
malicious.""
" \Vell,"' said the cavalier, '• for myself I confess that this
magnanimity astonishes me extremely."'
" Why so ? " asked Philippe.
" I'>ecanse I should have thought the King more jealous," re
plied the chevalier, mechanicaily.
F(jr se\eial instants Monsieur had fe!o something irritating
xianr.
189
ill the words of his favorite; thf last wonl set fire to tho
piiwder.
•• .F.'ah.us ! '• cried tlie prince ; " jealous ! What do you mean
b.v that'.' Jealous of what, if you please? Jealous of
wlioin '!
Tlie chevalier perceived that he ha<l let fall one of those
mischievous words that sometimes escaped liim. He strove to
lecall it while it was still jjossihle to do so.
••Jealous of his authority/' said he, with affected innocence ;
•• nt what would you suppose the King would be jealous" "
'• Ah, said my lord, " very good."
'•Would your royal I righne.s.s," continued the chevalier
• have asked ])ardon of this dear Comte de Guiche " ''
•• ^^■I>y; I'o : " said Monsieur. " De Guiche is a man of coura-e
and intelligence, but he has been flirting with Madame, an.f J
Aish him neither good nor ill."
The chevalier had sj^ken bitterly about De Guiche as he had
tiled to do about the King; but he thought he saw that the
lime Jiad come for indulgence and even the most absolute indif-
i.Mence, and that to throw some light .m the .piestion he might
!••' obliged to put the lamp under the husband\s very nose
P.y this means one sometimes burns others, but often one
iHiriis one's self.
•'Well, well," said the chevalier to himself, " I shall wait for
;\'V ? ' ,^*' f^" ^^ ™°''® "^ '^ '^"^y tl'-'i" I ^'an do in a month,
lor I think, .rod forgive me, or, rather, God forgive him, that
he IS even more jealous than I am. And then^it is not De
\ ardes I need, but an event, and in all this I see none That
l>e Gmche has returned when he was sent away is certainly
M'liuus ; but all seriousness disappears when one reflects that
'<; Guiche returns at the moment when Madame no lou-rcr
"inks of him. In short, .Madame is occupied with the Kiif- •
tiut IS clear; but Madame cannot be occupied for Ion- witli
'lie King if, as they say, the King no longer thinks of Ma'lame.
lie result of all this is that we should keep calm and await
tlie dawn of a new fancy which will determine the result "
1 hereupon the chevalier stretched himself resignedly in the
armchair which Monsieur allowed him to occupy in Ids ^res-
•nce ; and as there were no further evil insinuations to be made
'lie < hevaher de Lorraine was no longer witty '
I'ortunately Monsieur had las supply of good hum.u-, as we
t'.ive said, and he had enough for two until the moment when
•IS.
n
m
I
i
190
Tin: vicoyrTE /)/•; bracelonne.
he (Usmisscd liis viilots ami t;pntleineu and passed into his
sleeiiinf,'-iii(iin.
On retirin;^' he asked the chevalier tu present his coni])!!-
nients to Madame and to say to her that as it was cool Mon-
sienr, who was afraid of the touth-ache, would not sjfo into the
park a;^ain that nii,'ht.
The chevalier entered the jjrincess's apartments just as she
herself was returniuf^.
He actpiitted iiimself of his commission like a faithful mes-
sem,'er, and at once noticed the inditterence, even the annoy-
ance, with which Madame received the communication fn hi
her husband.
T '.i fact appeared to him to conceal somethin.i,' new. Ha .
Madame been leaving lier apartments with that stran;^'e :• >-
ner he would have followed her. But slie was rcturninj,', and
there was nothing' to be done; he turned on his iieels like an
idle heron, .luestioned the air, the earth, and the water, shook
his liead, and mechanically set out toward the gardens.
He had not gone a hundred feet before he met two young
men walking arm in arm, with bent heads, kicking the small
stones out of the jiatli as they strode on deep in thought. Tt
was De (J niche and De Uragelonne.
As usual they produced on the Chevalier de Lorraine a feel-
ing of instinctive repulsion. Nevertheless he gave them a low
bow, which was returned with interest. Then, seeing that ths
park was becoming deserted, that the illuminations were be-
ginning to be put out, that the breeze of early morning was
awaking, he turned to the left and entered the chateau by
the small court-yard. The others went to the right and con-
tinued on their way toward the large park.
Just as the chevalier ascended the side staircase which led
to the private entrance he saw a woman, followed by another,
appear under the arcade which opened from the smaller to the
larger I'ourt-yanl.
The two women hastened their steps, which were betrayed
by the rustling of their silk dresses in the alreaily silent night.
"The style of their idoaks, their elegant figures, the mysteri-
ous and at tlm same time haughty carriage which disti'.iguished
them both, especially the one who walked first, struck the
chevalier.
•• I certainly know those women,'" .said he, stopping on the
last step of tilt' small staircase.
NIGHT.
191
Tlien as witli the instinct of a bloodhound he was ab.)ut to
follow them, one of his lackeys who had been running after
Jiuii lor several instants stopped him.
" Monsieur," said he, "the courier has arrived "
" ^'°"'^ ■ " .f '*^ ^^^ chevalier ; " we have time enouLdi ; t-nnor-
row \v;ll do. ' ^
'• There are some important letters which .AFonsieur will ncr-
liaps be .^lad to read.'" *
"Ah!"' said the chevalier, '• from where do thevcome""
"One ernes from En-land and the other from Calais- the
latter came by express and seems very impoitant."'
" From Calais ! who the devil is writin- me from Calais " "
"J thought I recognii'-cd the handwriting of your friend M.
lie \V ardes.
"Oh. in that case I will come up at once," sai.l the chevalier
forirettin- Ins plan of playing the spy. He went up, while the
nvo unknown ladies disappeared at the end of the court-yard
opposite the one by which tlipy had just entered
\\e will follow them, leaving the chevalier alone with his
correspondence.
When they ha.l reached the grove, the first stopped somewhat
out of breath, and cautiously raising her hood said •
" Are we still far from the tree ? "
'• <^h, yes, Afadame, more than five hundred paces ; but rest a
moment; you cannot walk ranch longer at this rate."
" \ou are right."'
And the princess, for it was she, leaned against a tree
" Come ma.lem(.isellc,-' she resumed, having recovered her
Di'eath, " hide nothing from me ; tell me the truth "'
"Oh, Madame, you are already angry with me," said the
young girl, anxiously.
■'Xo, my dear .Athcnais, reassure yourself, for I am not
at all angry with jou. After all, this matter docs n.-t cmcern
"";• Von are anxious about what yon may have said under
tins oak; y,m are afraid of having wounded the King, and I
^v.sh to calm you by finding out for myself if you could have
liccn overheard. '
" Oh, yes, Madame, the King was very near us "
" But you were not speaking in so loud a tone that some of
your wcu'ds may rot have been lost ? "'
" Madame, we thought we were absolutely ahme "
" There were three of you '.' "'
Ht2
Tui: vicoMTi: DE i',r<,\(iEi.(>ssi:.
^v^' i
"Yes; La Vallit'io, Montalais, and myself.''
"And y<m yourself spoke lit,'litly of the Kins??"'
'• I fear so. IJiit if so, yuiir IIii^luies.s will have tlie goodness
to make my peace with his Majesty, will you not, Madame V
'• Yes : if there is need, I promise you T shall. However, as
I told you, it i.s iietter not to antieipate evil, but to nuike sure if
there were any harm done. The night is very dark, and still
darker luider these great trees. You may not have been rec-
ognized by the King. To inform liim of it by being the first
to speak wouM be to denoimce yourself."
" Oh, Madame, if Mademoiselle de la Yalliere were recognized,
I was too. Besides, JI. de Saint-Aignan left no don\)t on the
subject."
" But did you say anything very unflattering of the King '.' ''
" Oh, no, Madame. But one of the others said some very
fla'.,tering tilings, and so my words stood out ii .'a-st to hers."'
" That Montalais is so foolish ! '" said Mad ; .
"Oil! it was not Mcmtalais, she said nottiing. It was La
Valliere."
Madame started as if slie had not already known this per-
fectly.
" Oh, no, no,"' said she: "the King could not have heard.
Besides, we will try the test for wliicli we came out. Show me
the oak,'"
And Madame resumed her walk.
" Do you know where it is ? "' she continued.
" Alas, yes. Madame."
" Can you find it again ? "
" I could find it with closed eyes."'
" That is well ; you will sit d'own on the bench where you
were and where La Valliere was ; I shall hide behind the
bushes, and if I can hear you 1 shall let you know."
" Yes, Madame."'
" And if we find that you really spoke Ion ' enough for the
King to have overheard you, well — '"
Athenais waited anxiously for the end of the sentence.
" Well,' said ^Lidaine, in a voice choked, no doubt, by her
liasty walking. " well, I shall protect you."
And she hurried on. Suddenly she stopped.
" I have an idea," said she.
" .\nd a good one, surely," said Mademoiselle de Tounay-
Chaieute.
m
NIGHT.
193
" Montalais ought to be just as embarrassed as vou two "
"Less so; for she said less and therefore oon.prouused'lier-
" Xo matter ; she can help vou by a little lie "'
"Oh, especially if she k.iows Madanie is good enough to
take an interest m me.' t^ ' ' '
"Well, I think I have found what we need, mv child ''
" How fortunate !" " '
" You w,ll sao^- that all three of you knew perfectly well that
he King as well as M. de Saint-Aignan was behind the tree or
tiie bushes, I do not know which."
" Yes, Madame."'
"For you must not hide fron. yourself, .VthenaVs, the fact
tl.at Saint-Aignan took advantage of some very flatterin-' re-
iiKuks which you made about him."' " '
MVcll, Madame, you .see clearly that we were heard since
.M. de Samt-Aignan heard us,"' cried Athenais
-Madame had spoken thoughtl. ssly, and she bit her lip
'' Uh, yon know how Saint-Aignan is ! " said she; " the favor
of the King makes lain silly, an.l he talks at ran.lom ; fre-
quently, even, he invents. Besides, that is not the point. The
'luestion IS did or did not the King hear " ''
'• Well, Madame, he did hear ! '-"sahl Athenais, hopelessly.
_ In that case, do as I have said. Maintain boldly that all
hree of you all three, you un.lerstand, for if there is any doub
.bout one there will be about the others, - n>aintain?^I sav
that a 1 three ot you knew of the presence of the King an".!
Sauit-Aignan, an.l Miat you wanted to have some fun at the ex-
I'cnse of the eave.vuoppers."'
"Oh, Madajue, at the expense of the King ! We would never
"Hut it was a joke, pure and simple. An inno,.ent joke and
• ■isil^ Itardoned m women whom men are trvin.^ to take bv
smpnse. In this way everything will be e.x plained. What
• Inutalais said of Mahcorne, a mere joke ; what you said of M
'"' f f»t- Apan, a mere joke ; what La Valliere 'said — "
" And which she would like to recall."
" Are you sure of that ? "
" <»h, yes, I am positive."
" Well, ai: the more reason why the whole thing should
' '\ J'^J^: I" tl'at case M. de Mahcorne will not be angry
■'■ c.c baint-Aignan will he embarrassed, and he, instead of
Vi)L. II. — 1)
fit
fe« ,
;|n||^—
i
ill
«^ .-
i
S^^^^H
194
77//-; VICOMTE I)E BliAGELONSK.
#!
you, will lie l;ui},'lie(l at. riiially, the King will be punished
for curiosity UMWoithy of his .auk. Let tlie Kin;.,' be lau'^'hed
at a little for this and I do not believe he will coniiilain
of it."
" Ah. ^ladame, you are tr«dy an ani,'el of kindness ami iii-
telli},'eiice."
" It is to my interest."
" How so '.' "'
" You ask how it is to my interest to save my maids of lionor
from gossip, annoyance, and ]>erhaps scandal'.' .Mas I y(ni
know, my cdiild. that the court has no sympathy for those
peccadilloes. I'.ut we liave been walking a long time. Shall
we not sooi' be there ? "'
" It i.5 still some fifty or sixty feet away. Turn to the
left, Madame, if you jjlease.'"
" Are you sure of Moutalais '.' '' asked Madame.
'■ Oh, yes."'
•'Will she do everything you want?"
" Everything ; she will be enchanted."'
'' How about La Valliere ?" hazarded the ])riiu'ess.
"Well, she will be more difficult, Madame; she hates to tell
a falsehood."
•' But when slie linds it is to her interest — ""
" I am afraid that that will in no way change her ideas."'
" Y'es, yes,"" said Madame. " I have already been told that
she is a very particular person, one of those affectedly i)iou ones
who put (lod in front of them that they may hide behind Him.
But if she is unwilling to lie, — as she will expose herself to the
jestsof the whole court, as she will have ])rovoked the King by
a confession as absunl as it is immodest, — Nlailenuiiselh' de la
Baume le I'.lanc de la Valliere could not find fault with me for
■sending her back to her pigeons, in order that in Touraine
yonder, or in Le Blaisois, I do not know which, she may at
her ease study sentiment and pa.storal life."'
These words were uttered witli a vehemence and liarshness
which startled Mademoiselle de 'I'onnay-Cliarente. (.lonse-
queutly she jmtmised, sn far as she was concerned, to tell as
many untruths as might be necessary.
At this moment Madame and her companion reached the
royal oak.
'• Here we arc,"' said Tonnay-CJliarente.
" We shall soon learu if they heard," replied Madame.
Ninirr.
I! to
M.idiuiic ,sl()|.|H'il.
;; \^m .^.; tlwa tl.ey nu,st iKu-e heani;- s.ij A.l.e.Kus.
I .o-o'i;e'.';„",ii;';;;:;;::^ ' "" ^■™ "'»« ■ ■"■">• ■..■',;:„.
lin't "ten £li',ri, ;":'';' ";''''""' '""■ "'""l™"".., an,l with a
'• Me, Madame •.' " ' "
" Ves, you, or lathei- your adventure. I will r,,, i.„I U -fo,
men, as Athenais hesitated:
^^^•^Go!" said tlie princess, in a tone which admitted of no
n.(±;?.? t:^r;i;;:^.;;;tr^^^^^^^^ '^ ^ -^^ — ^
As for Madame, she hid in the thicket, leanin- back iL^nin^f
wp\dl7i'" "'""^ ,''f r.'"'""^' '^""^ «"*^ ^'-^1 J»^ar from here _
r.i
III
196
THE VICDMTE 1)E BliXnELONSE.
C'HAPTKR XX Vr.
I
IX Wllirn MADAME A< (M'll'K^ TllK IKOOF THAI' I!V I.ISTFMNfl
ONK TAX IIKAK WIIAl' IS SAIIi.
TiiKRE was silence for a nioinent, as if all the mystpridiis
noises of the Ili,^'ht were stilled in order to listen with Madame
to this yoiithfnl and jiassioTiate contidence.
IJaoul was speakint;. He was leaning' idly a'^ainst the trnnk
of the ^'reat oak, and repl'eil in his sweet, s(tft voice:
" Alas, my dear I)e (Jniche, it is a ^M-eat misfortune."
" Yes,'' said the other, " very great."
" Von do not catch my words, l)e (Jniche, or rather you do
not comprehen.l me. I say that a t,'reat misfortune has come
to yor.. not be ause you love, hut because you cannot hide your
love."
" Wiiat do you mean '.' "' cried De (I niche.
'• ^'ou do n((t i)erceiv(> one thini,', namely, that now it is no
lon}i;er to your only friend, lliat is, to a man who A'ould kill
himself rather til in betray you — you do not jierceive, I say,
that it is to your friend alone that you confide your love : you
tell it to the first comer."
"To the first comer?" cried De < Jniche; " are you mad, P.rage-
lonno, to say such a thing to me ? "
" It is true."
" Imjiossible ! How could I have become so indiscreet?"
" I mean, my friend, that your eyes, your gestures, your sighs
tell against you ; that all deep passion leads a man beyond him-
self. Then he no longer is master of himself; he is presto
a grief which makes him tell his trouble to the trees, to he
horses, to the air, from the moment that there is no intelligent
being within range of his voice. Now, my poor friend, re-
member this : it is very seldom that there is not .some one near
to overhear the thing which ought not to be overheaid."
De Guiche heaved a deep sigh.
Uragelonne continued : " You distress me ; since your return
you have a humlred times and in a hundred dift'ereut ways
shown your love for her ; and yet hail y.ii said nnthing your
coming back in itself would be very indiscreet. 1 return, there-
fore, to this conclusion, tiiat if you do not guard yourself more
closely than you do, some day or other there will be an ex-
oxi: <A\ ni-Ait winT is s.i//>.
107
s>u„. \M.o wnl SUV. you .h.n. V THl „... uh„ will nave
"■' ■ '•'"• •'n.u,.,.„t as slH- n.ay h. .,t v„nr lov... vour love w II
l.y ^X;:th. """""""' '^"^ *''-'--~l.HMy,n, Ins words
'■ That is II, )t iiMs>vonii<,', 1). (JuidK. "
" les, it is."
•• \VelI, come, wii.it is vour auswor " "
"Tins my fiiei,,!, that when such a day arrives I sir.ll l«
'"> "'«"•'■ .lead than I a.a to-day."' ^ '''■''' ''^
" I do not understand."
" Ves ; so many troul.les have worn me out. To-.]av J am
am sets ol! alone tor a skninish. he sometiuies n.eets a J tv
-' i.ve or .s>.K lora,,ers, and although alone he deends'iin^
• u „::,ar f-;; * e/«W-nor eve,, a.,ai„.,t the ,,1„"5
la-'f. ''butVotse?;'?; "■'""" ^■"" »"""'" "'"■■<«'*,■• replied
•• Why so ? "
'• Thanks. Raoul."
•' For what ? "
•
198
77//; VIcoMTE DF. lUi \<n:i.()\ S R.
can think nf li.-r, luul i><M-hai.s cvfu tlial wlii.'li s.- do not
think." , ,
"Oh," said Itamd, •■ ynn arc nii^lakcn, Dc (iui.hc 1 .lo not
always say what I tliink; I kcii. still; hut w!, en 1 speak, I
know not cither how to int'tcnd in- to deceive, and whoever
listens to nic must hclieve nic."
Durinf^ this conveiNation. with head hent forward, anxio\is
car, and dilated eve, Ma<lanic strove to iicnctiatc the darkness,
and .greedily drank in the faintest whisper which touched the
branches.
'•Oh, I know her better than you do." cru^d Dc (huchc,
'< she is not f,'ay, but frivolous; she is not fond of novelty, slie
is for'.,'etful and without faith; she is not jmrely and sinqdy
suscoptibh' totlatterv, but she is a iiractiscd and cruel cocinelte.
A thorou^'h c()(iuctte, 1 know. Believe me, I5ra<,'el(.nne, 1 ani
sufferui'^' all the t(n-nients of hell. Brave, passionately fond of
(lan^cr,l have found a danger greater than my strength and
my courage. But you see, llaoul, I am reserving for myself a
victory whi(di will cost her many tears."
Raoul looked at his friend, wh.>, overcome by emc ' >n,
rested his head against the trunk of the oak.
" A victory ! What victory '/ "
" What victory ? "
" Yes.-'
" Some day I shall accost her. and shall say to her, ' I was
young, I was nnidly in love ; 1 had, however, suilicu'nt respect
to fall .at your feet and remain with my head in the dust, if
your glances had not raised me to ycmr hanil. I thought 1 un-
derstood your looks, I arose, and then without having done
anvthing to yo\i except love you more, if th.at were possible,
then, from mere heartlessness, you dashed me to earth again,
you a woman without a heart, without faith, without love ! you
are not worthy, princess of the royal blood though you .are,
you are not worthy of the love of an honest man ; and i punish
myself with death for having loved you too well, and I die
hating you." "
" Oh'! " cried Kaoul, frightened at the tone of deep convic-
tion which showed in the young man's words. " Oh, I spoke
truly, l)e Guiche ; you are mad."
n Yes ves," cried De Guiche, following out his idea, " since
we are having no more wars here, I shall go yonder to the
north, seek service in the empire, and some Hungarian, or
ONi: r-.l.V HE All WHAT Is SM
/).
1!»!)
<>o;it ..r Turk may l.„ diaritahlo ru.m^h U, s..„,l ;, l„.ll,.t
tlir(>ii^,'h inc.
I).M;ui,.he lu.l .s..-uv,.lyrn.ish,.,i ul,.., a snun.l ,„;,.l.. l,n„
start, an.i m.u^'l.t, IJa.nil to his iWt ;d t!,.. saiar , ...nt
As f„r I),M.ui,.l„., :ibsorl.o.l in uIkU 1... u-.,s savm- and
tlinikm^,'. Iw reinaiiH-.I s.'ato.I, l.is In-a.l pr-ss...! l„.t\v, ^u h,>
liaiuls.
Suddenly ll.e Imshos ufr.. partcl and a uon,an. pal,- and
d.slH-vell,.d, ai.p.-a.nl iH.fnr. the two yuun^- nn-n. With „n.-
han.l she pushe.l aside tlu- branehes uhieh otherwise wonl.l
havestruek her face, ami with the oth.n- she llirew ha.k the
ImmmI of tlie (doak whieh covered l,er shonhhMs
l!y her .dear and sparklin.i,' -ht„,.... l,v hn- roval carria-." hv
'••■• iKiu^dity K-esture, and still more hv the heatin..- of his h/irt
l»-<.uu.hereeo^M.ized Madame, and ^ivm^ a erv hid his lace
111 Ins hands.
■'"'•'■.nhlin- and embarrassed, llaonl stammer.Ml some vaLM.e
words of respect. '^
'• >I. do lira-elonne,- said the princess. •• be kind enou-ii I
liok' ot y<,u to see if my attendants are not somewhere vo^d'er
1. the wa ks or the .rroves. And yon, M. le Comte, remain •
I am tired ; ^Mve me your arm."
Had a thnnderbult fallen at the wretched man's feer ho
would have been less frightened than by the cold, hard ac-
Xevertheless. as he had jnst said, he was brave, aiul as in the
depths ot his heart he had formed his resolntions, I)e (iuiche
rose, and seeing liragel.mne-s hesitation, gave him a glance fnll
"I resignation and deej) gratitude.
Instead of replying at once to Madame, he took one step
i-|var. Is the v.comte, an.l hohling ont the arm theprin.'ess had
asked tor he grasped the loyal hand of his frieml with a si-d.
ni wnich he seemed to give t.. friemlship all the life that was
I'dt m the depths of his heart.
Madame waited -she .so pron.l, she who knew not how to
u,nt until this mute colloquy was at an end. Her roval
iMud remained suspen.led in the air. and when Huonl had
gu.ie It fell without anger, but not without emotion, into that
"t De (luiche.
'I'liey Mere alone in the midst of the dark, silent forest:
. ling was hear,l .sav. the steps of Uaoul as they retreate.
tiistily alon- the obscure patlis. Above them extended the
i]
I-
--: -.•<
200
THE rfcoMTf-: Di: HRAar.i.nxxi:.
,- >\::^^m
-■:'^^JrM
(
.x^«
iMiL '■■
riinWr: ■'*^m.
kJW-:.'.^
'.r
s.; : f
Ni
tJiick ami i'ra,t,M;iiit aicli (4 tlu^ Inicst foliii<,'c, tluoii^rh the
n|)»Miiii>,'s of wlucli lii'i-i' ;iii(l tlit'ic ;i tVw stars \vt'i«' seen
shiiiiiii;.
Madaiiu' It'tl Dt- (iiiiche ^'ontly souh' himdrcil tVfl t'lnm tliP
iii(liscro<'t trt'o whidi liad (ivcilicanl ami all(>\vc(l to lie licanl
HO inanv tilings that <'V('nnii,'. and coiidiK tt'd l:iiM to an opfii
space near by, so that tlicy I'oiihl sec tor suinc distance around
them.
" I have brought yon liere," saiil slie. in a trcmhling voice,
" because from where wo were every word can l)c heanl."
" Kvory word can be lieard, you say, Madame '.' "' repeated the
young man, mechanically.
" Ves."
" Which means ',' " nnirninred I)e Guiciie.
" Which means that I iieard all you said ! "
" Uh, my (loil I my (iod I only this was lacking!" stam-
mered De (Juiche.
.\nd he bent his head like a swimmer wearied by the wave
which engulfs him.
" So," said she, " you think me what you said '.' "
L)e (ruiche grew pale, turned aside his head, and said noth-
ing. He felt like fainting.
" It is well," continued the jirincess, in a tone full of sweet-
ness ; " I prefer this fr' i.k, ; whid; v.-iunds me to flattery
which deceives. So, according to you, M. de <iuiche. I am a
coquette and worthless."
" Worthless I " cried the young man, •' you worthless I I —
surely I did not say, 1 could not have said, that what was most
precious to me in the whole world was worthless. Xo, I did
not say that."
" A woman who sees a man dying consumed by a love which
she has insjjired, and who does not quell th.it love, is, in my
opinion, a worthless woman."
" Oh, what matters it to you what I said '.' " cried the count.
" What am 1, alas I to you '.' and why should you trouble
yourself whether I exist or not '.' "
" M. de Guiche, you are a man as I am a woman and know-
ing you as I do, I do iK)t wish you to iiin any risk of dying ;
I shall change my conduct and my cliaracter with you. I
shall be, not frank, as I always am, but honest. I beseech
you, therefore, count, to love me no more, and to forget com-
pletely that [ have ever given you a word or a glance."
nSh: 'IV HEAR WHAT IS SAID.
201
I).W. ich.' t.iru.Ml, rastin^a „'l;ince of |.assi<Miat,« ail.iiatiuti
1)11 her.
" Von," said ho, "you niako oxciiscs ! ynu implore tne ""
"Yes. .•oitainly; sine- I l.av,- ,lo,.e ,n'ii I ...iKlit t<. lopair it
■v., .•oiint, il.i.s ,s what u-.. will a-rce to. Vo.i will for^-iv." my
tnvoiity, my (•o.pi,.tiy. I ,t intt'iTupt me; 1 shall fnP'ive
you lur havinjr sai.l that. I was frivolous aii.l a ••oouetf." „.■
sonu'tlmi- more, perhaps ; y,,u will reii.,uiiee your i.lea of death
."Ud wi.l keep ior your family, f.U' the Kin-, and f(,r the ladies
a cavalier wlmm everyone esteems and whom very many love '
Madame uttered the last wonl in a tone of smdi frankness
.Hid tenderness that the heart .d' tne vo,„m' man wa.i ready u
iiurst. " ■ •'
•• Oil : .Madame ! .Madame ! " he stammered
•• Listen further," she enntinned ;•> when vn,, have renoumed
nu". at hrst from necessity, afterwards in order to -rant my en-
treaty, you will jud-e me more favoral.ly, and I am sure vou
will replace this love — jwdon the nn.spemly word — bV a
Mucerejrien.lship which you will offer me, and which I proniise
ynu will be warmly accepted."
I)e (juiche's brow was covered with perspiration, deatii lav
■ n Ins heart a shiver ran throu-h his b<.dy ; he bit his lips,
stamped his foot, thus devouring m a word all his grief
■• -Madame," sai.l he, " what you offer me is impossible, and
' will ne\er accejit s'.c) an arrangement."
" What : • said Madame, " you refuse my friendship " "
" Not friendship, Madame, I would rather die of love than
live tor friendship."
" Monsieur ! "
"( »h, Madame," cried De Guiclie, « I have reached a point
wher.. there is no other consideration, no other respect than
the consideration and the respect of an honorable man towi-rds
the woman he adores. Drive me away, curse me, denounce
Hie. \ou \yill be right. I have complained of you, but I com-
plained so bitterly only because I love you; I have told vou I
would (he, and die J will. If 1 live you will forget me ; dead
.vi'U will never forget me, I am sure." " '
And she who stood by, deep in thought and as agitated as
'tie young man, turned aside her head for a moment, as an in-
-taiit before he had turned his.
■flien after a moment's silence she asked :
■• So you love me very much ? "
202
77//; ViCOMTh: hi: BR.\r;El.nxyE.
'■ >railly. Mndlv ('ii(iiii,'h to dio, as ym\ sriiil, whether yon
drive iiu' away or listt'n turtlier to iiif."
" It is a liopclfss cast', tiioii," said she, playfully; "a case
which must he treated with L,'oiitleuess. CJive nw. your hand
— it is like ice I '"
Pe (riiiohe kuolt down, prossiiif; his lips not to one but to
both of Madauie's burniui,' hands.
•• Well, love me ♦^'■en,"' saitl the princess, "since it cannot he
otherwise."
.\nd she pressed his tinkers almost impercejitihlv, tlms rais-
in,;:; him partly as a (jueeu woidd have done, and partly as one
■who lo\ed him.
De (Juiche trembled from head to foot.
Madame felt the _,oun,L,' man quiver and realized that he
loved her truly.
•■ Vour arm, count." said she, '• let us I'cturn."
'■ .Ml. Ma(hime." said he. swaying and bewildered, a cloud of
tlame before his eyes. •• Ah I you havt found a third wav of
killiui,' me I ■'
•• Fortunately it is the lonj^est, is it not '.' "' replied she.
And she led him towards the errove.
CIIAPTP]R XXVII.
aka:\iis eoi .ksi'on'df.xck.
Wiiii.K De Guiohe's affairs, thus suddenly set to rifrhts,
although he was nnable to guess the cause of their improve-
ment, assumed the unlooked-for turn we have .seen. Haoul in
obedien<'e to .Madanu^"s ie(juest had withdrawn, in order not to
interrupt an exidanation the results of which lie was far from
surmising, ami had joined the ladies of honor who were
wandering about the flower-garden.
Meanwhile the Chevalier de Lorniine returned to his room,
and re, id with surprise the letter from De Wardes, which
informed him by the hand of his valet of the swtud-lhrust
received at Calais, and all the details of this adventure, .and
emled with the request that he would communicate to De
C J niche and Monsieur whatever there might be in the affair
particularly disagreeable to both of them.
.1 AM MIS' CDRUEsroxUKXi /j.
i(i;5
_De \\ar(lf's tried particularly to prove to the chevalier the
violence of Madame-s love for'nuckin-hiiiii, and he eonclii.led
his letter by statiii^r that he thon.^ht this feelin- was returned.
Onrtadm- the last para,i,'raiih the chevalier shru-<'e.i his
>hnulders; as a. matter of fact, De Wardes was far' hehind-
iiancl, as one could see. 1 )e Wardes was still onlv at liuckin--
ham's affair.
The chevalier threw the p.^i^er over his sh.nilder upon a
table near by and said scornfuUv :
"Really it is incredible; and'vet this ],..or De Wardes is an
intelligent fellow; but in tiutli, thi.^ is nut verv ajipar-'nt : it
is so easy to t,'row rusty in the country. The devil take the
stupid, who ou-ht to have written nir about nattcis of inip(M'-
tance and yet writes such nonsense. Instead of that wretched
letter which does not mean anythinj,', I should have found
there in the grove a nice little intri-ue which would have
<omproniised a woman, would perhaps iiave been as goo.: as a
sword-tlirust for a man. and might have diverted Monsieur for
three days."'
lie looked at his watch.
" Xow." said he. •• it is too late. ( hie o'clock in the morn-
ing ; every one has i)robably returned to the King's apart-
ments to finish the night. ^Vell, it is a lost scent, and unless
some e.vtraordinary chance — "
And speaking thus, as if appealing to his luckv star, the
chevalier angrily approached the window, which opened upon
a somewhat solitary portion of the garden.
All at once, and as if some evil genius wt're at his onh'rs,
he perceived returning to the chateau, in companv with a man'
a mantk> of dark-colored silk, and recognized the" iigure whi(di
had struck him half an hour bef(U'e.
••Well! well:" thougiit he, striking Ids hands to-ether ;
•I 'II be damned! as our friend Buckingham savs. Jiere is
my mystery I"
And he rushed down tne steps in the ho|)e of reaching the
'•"ui! in time to recognize the woman of the cloak and her
' ompanion
Hut on reacliing the door of the small court-vard lie knocked
iigainst Madame, whose radiant face appeared full of charming
revelations beneatli the hood which protected without eoueeah
iiig her.
Uufortunately she was aioue.
nil
1 i . ii
204
Tin: VICOMTE DE BRAGELONNE.
The chevalier realized that since he liad seen her not five
minutes before with a gentleman, the latter could not be very
far away. Consequently he scarcely took the time to salute
the princess, as he drew back to let her pass; then when she
had taken several steps with the haste of a woman wjio tears
to be recognized, when the dunalier saw tliat she was too
much taken u]t with herse't to think about him. he rushed into
the garden, glanced rapidly anMind, and end)raced in liis glance
as much of the !iori/on as he could.
He was just in time; the 'gentleman who Iiad accompanied
Madame was still in sight; but he was iiurrying on towards
one of the wings of the chateau behind which he wouhl soon
disappear.
There was not a minute to l)e lost. The chevalier threw
himself in pursuit, slackening his pace on approaching tiie
stranger; but in spite of the iuiste lie had used, the luiknown
turned the steps in advance of him.
However, since he was walking slowly, burietl in thought,
with head bent under its weight of grief or joy. it was evi-
dent that when once the corner was turned, unless he entered
some door, the chevalier could mit tail to overtake him.
Thi-^ is what certaiidy would have hapjiened if. just as lie
turned the corner, the chevalier had not run against two persons
who were walking in the tipjiosite direction. The chevalier
was on the point of opening a quarrel with these two trouble-
some individuals, when on raising his head he recognized the
su|)erintendent.
Fouquet was accompanied by a man whom the chevalier now
saw for the first time.
It was his (imce the JUshop of V'annes.
Checked by the importance of the man, and forced by
politeness to make apologies when he expected to receive
them, the chevalier stepped back a few paces ; and — since
M. Fou(juet liad, if not the friend.ship, at least the res|.ect of
every one; since the King himself, although he was nither his
enemy than his friend, treated him as a rnan of importance,
— the chevalier bowed to M. Foucpiet, who .saluted him with
kindly courtesy, seeing that the gentleman had run agiiinst him
by mistake and with no evil intention.
Then almost immediately, having recognized the Chev.alier
de Lorraine, he paid iiim a few compliments to which the
chevalier was forced to reply.
AK AMIS' CORRESPONDENCE.
205
Brief as was he conversation, the Chevalier ,le Lorraine
saw u-.th ;.M'eat .hspleasure the tij,M.re of the stranger gruwin.-
fainter and lamter, until it disappeared in the darknes.
fhen he resigned himself, and once resigned ,,Mve his whole
attention to Fonqnet.
"Ah, inonsienr, yon arrive very late. They have been
grea ly tron bled liere by your absenc^e, and I heard Monsieur
cm.ie "' ''''"'" " '"'''**^'^ ''^ *'" ^^'"- "'"" ''''^' ""t
" It was impossible, monsieur; so soon as I was free I
came. ' ^
" Is Paris quiet ? "
" Perfectly. I'aris has Iwrne the last tax very well "
'•Ah, I underHtand that you wished to make sure of this
good teeling before coming to take part in our fetes -
"I have arrived somewhat late, however. Therefore I
appeal to you, immsieur, to ask whether the King is out of
d..o,-s or m the chateau, whether I can see him thi.s evenim- or
wiiether I must wait until to-morrow ''
" We have not seen the King for al out half an hour," said
the chevalier. '
" Perhaps he is at Madanie's '.' " asked Fonnuet
"I scarcely think so. for I have just met Madame returni
nv the private stairway ; and unless the gentleman vou passe.l
just now was the King — " " i '^^=>^"^
And the chevalier waite.l, hoping that he might thus find
out the name of the one he had followed
'• No, m(,nsieur. it was not the King."
The chevalier, <lisappointed. bowed, but as he did so he
glanced around, and seeing M. Colbert in the midst of a group-
•^^a,t,m.m.sleur," said he to the superintendent ; - vonder
under the trees is someone who can inform yon better than I "
\V
lO
? '
. <lemande(l l^ouquet, who.se poor sight' prevented
Inin from seeing through the .larkness. prtveniea
" M. Colbert,"' replied the chevalier
lilkmg to the man carrying the torches?"
•| ^^es. _ He is giving his orders to the illaminators for tr.
" Thank you, monsieur."
i
•a«
206
THE VKOMTE
BRAdEI.ONNE
And Fon([UPt gave a nod which shewed th:il lie liad h>arnod
all that he wautfd to know.
On his si'ie tin' I'hevalitT. who nn the contrary had Icarnod
nothing, gave a low bow and retired.
Scarcely had lie gone het'ore Foniiuet with frowning brow
fell into a deep reverie.
Araniis looked at him a innnicnt with a kind of compassion
full ot sadness.
" Wtdl.'" said he, -yon seem affected by the very name of
this man. .lust :\ moment ago yon were trinmiihant and
happy, and the mere sight of tliat man has made you sad. Tell
me, monsieur, do you believe in your lucRy star'.' "
"No," sadlv I'cidied Foutpu't.
" "^Vhy ■.' "' '
'• liecause I am too happy at this present moment." he re-
plied in atrendiling voice. '■ Ah. my dear D'Herblay. you who
are so learned must know the history of a certain tyrant of
Samos. What can I throw into the sea to avert approaching
evil '.' Oh : I rejieat to you, my friend. I am too happy, so happy
that I desire nothing beyond what I have. I have risen so high
VdU know niv motto, V" "'"' ">■'■'//'/"//' '.' — I have risen so
high that I have nothing to do now except to fall. It is there-
fore impossible for me to believe in t!ie further progress of a
career that is already more than human.''
Aramis smile<l ami looked at Fouquet with his kind and
penetrating glance.
<• If T knew vour good fortune.'" said he. •• I should ]ierha]»s
fear your downfall: l)ut you look upon me as a true friend;
that is, you turn Xo me in misfortune only. It is indeed a
great deal, and very precious, I know ; but as a matter of fact,
I have a perfect right to beg you to confide in me from time tn
time the happiness which comes to you and at whiidi I should
reiiiice. you know, more than if it had come to me."
•• My dear prelate," said Foiupiet, laughing "my secrets are
far too piofanu for me to confide to a bishop, worldly as he
may be."
•■ Hah ! In confession '.' ''
•• Oh. 1 should blush too much if you were my confessor."
And Fouijuet began to sigh.
Arami- again looked at liim without other maiiifestatiou of
his thougiit than his placid smile.
" Well," said he, •• discretion is a great virtue."
. I /?. I .U/.s" CORRESl'OXDENCE.
207
' Silence ! ' said Koiuiuet. " That
riized 1110 and is Odiniihr td ,i
voiiuiuuiis beast lias lecog-
' Colbert
(i
LPS.
away, my dear D'llerblay: I d„ n„t wisl
,11,.. •'. , - ..'..I. . r .11, uuL WISH tliat
.<■! ou- to soe you with iiH. or ho will take an aversion to vou "
.\raniis pressed his hand. '
•• What need have I of his friendship,- said he, "while I
have yon . ' ^
" Ye.s, but perhaps I shall not always be here,'" replied
I'onquet. sadlv. itr|uiea
•■On that , lay if it shoul.l ever eomo," sai.l .Vran.is, nuietlv,
«e will plan how to dispense with the frien.lship ,? brave
the dis Ike of M. Colbert. P.ut tell ,ne. dear M. I'ouquet. ii-
s ead of conversin^^ with that follow, as you ,lo him thi- honor
ot ,■aUln,^^ him, — a c-nver.sation the u.se of which I do not .ee
- why do you not go to the King or at least to Madame " " '
•• I o Madame?" said the superintoiuleut, ab.sorbed in his
tlKuights. " \ OS, to Madame— " 'uui.s
" Vou remember,-' ,ontiu.v,d Aramis, " that we have been
-i.l ..f the great favor which Madame has enjoyed for the las
- «T three days. It enters, I believe, into your poli.y m
.to our plans for you to pay asshluous court {o the friends of
'':!'',/• ^^ "^ -'^ "'*"-"« of counteracting the jrrowin.r infl,,
on- "t M. Colbert. Betake your.self, thel'fol^^'s ;iiek "t
P^.ssibleto Madame and treat this ally with considenltion.'-
niat Jio King s eyes are hxed at present '' "
'• If the needle has veered it must have' been since this morn-
ing. \ ou know that I have my polieo.-'
•• frood : r shall go there at once, and in any event I have t
^^ -a Jiavo seen thom : nothing could be richer and more
l.vtVouHor""""'* *'"^'^' "'"'' '"^'^""l*t'"l ''.y ^ ^-'ifk'^y followed
•• For M. le Sunntendant,- said the courier, in a loud tone
1' Hiding a note to F(mquet. ' uu umc,
•• For Monseigneur the Bishop of Vannes," sai.l the lackey
'" a low tone, giving a letter to Aramis ^
As the lackey carried a torch, he placed himself between the
<^-' "len, m order that both might road at the same time
lily
II
u
•208
THh: VICOMTK DE FHiAGELOXNi:.
M
1
d
At sight of tlip fine delicate writing on the envelope, Fouquet
started with deli^dit. Onlythnse who love or who are loved
will uii(lerst:ui(l first his anxiety and then his hajipiness. He
quickly unsealed the letter, whicli contained only these few
words :
" If Li tin h iiir sinrr I li-ft ijun, hut a centur)/ since I told ijou
< / love IJOU. ' ''
That was all.
Ma.laine de lielliere hail in fact i)arted from Fouquet an
hour before, after having' spent two days with him, and fear-
ing,' his remembrance of her mi,u;ht be etfai'ed for too long a
time from the heart she missed she sent a courier as the bearer
of this impcu'taut missive.
Fou(piet kissed the letter and gave the l>earer a handful of
gold.
As for Aramis, he on his side was reading with more cool-
ness and reflection the following note :
" T/ic Kin;/ /I'fs hern sfrurk t/ii.s cvpuinr/ witJi n utriinrjp
fanoj : a xrnvmn lores him. lie learned it hij rhmn'e, while
li.steninf/ to the ennversution of'thi.i i/onnrj ijirl with hrr roin-
panion.'.. The Kimj is entirelij ijini} up to this new eoiiriee.
The (jirPs nar.ie is Muileinolielle de hi VuUiere, nnd she is oj
sujfieient Ijeauti/ for this eaj)riee to become a stronf/ passion.
B irnrc of Mademoiselle de la Valliere."
Not a word of Madame.
Aramis slowly folded the missive and put it into his pocket.
As for Fouquet, he was still inhaling the perfume of his
letter.
" My lord ! " said Aramis, touching Fouquet on the arm.
" Well ? ■' demanded the latter.
" I have an idea. Do you know a little girl named La
Valliere ? "
" No."
" Think."
" Oh, yes, I believe she is one of Madame's maids of honor."'
" That mav be."
" Well?"'
" Well, my lord, it is to this little girl thr t you must pay
a call to-uight."
i i ■■
ARAMI.< rOHHESPOMJEXCE.
209
" Fiah ! and why ? "'
y,,:;/';"',':™--"' " " '° """ '■"'" >>"" *« >■-. n.„st «.,
" Coiiip, now ! "
" Vou know, my lonl, that I givs ./ooc' advife ••
'• nut this unforesoen — '"
"That is ,ny affair. I'ay yo,„- court in .lue form to La
l.t'llit-ro that It will bo most politic."'
" What do you m.'an, my friend > " cried Foiumet ouicklv
'• and what name did v<m utter ? " "u(iuer, quitkly,
'•A uan.e which ought to prove to you, monsieur, that being
uell informed about you, 1 may be as well informed abou!
other.s. Pay court to the little La Valliere "'
'•I ;;^'il P'\v. court to whomsoever you Hke," replied Fou-
'luct, paradise in his lieart.
"Come, come, descend again to earth, traveller in the
seventh heaven," said Aramis; ^. here is M. de Colb rt o'
but he has been recruiting while we have been leadiu- he s
sunounde,! praised, congratulated; decidedly he is a power"
I.I fact, Colbert advanced escorted by all the courtiers in
tlH- gardens, ami each paid him compliments upon the arrange "
.nent of the fete; all of which putted him Zip well nighTo
" If La Fontaine were there," said Fouquet, smiling, •' what
a splendid chance it would give him to recite the fabi; of the
l-ro,j that waat,'d t,> hi' „s buj as an Ojc ''
Colbert came up m. the midst of a shining circle. Fouquet
uai ed for him, .• passable and somewhat ironical. (Jolber
.'iie and r\ " ''"' «-» his enemy a quarter of an hour b^
t.'ie, and had been approaching gradually.
Colbert s smile was a presage of Jiostility.
H;t the rascal is going to ask you again for several millions
w.h which to i,ay for his illuminations and Ids colored Tig r'
to nrakr:j;:e?fui'^'^^ *° ^^^"^^ ^'^^^ ^ ^^^-"^^ -^-^ ^- '^-e
Fouquet scarcely moved his head
ITrv7'"',™T ^""-'"^f ^'^'"^ ^'"^^''■*' "^^'h^t do your eves sav ^
Have we had good tasts ? " -^ ~ "^ "-^y ■
iu hi! tone*'" '"^''"'^ ^''"^"'^' ''''^""^ "'^"'"^"S '^^ ^^''' "•"■>y
Vol. U. — 14
I
Hi
\",
USkA
210
Tui: viciiMTi: hi: iii!.\<;i:Ln.\.\i:.
" (~)h,"" said Colbert, iiKiliciiiusly, •■ ymi ;in' iiululgeiit. \Vc
are pocir, we servants of the King, ami Fontain* ^leau canr.oi, be
(•(jinpared to Vaux."
'•That is true,'" replied F(juiiuet, |ililegniatii'ally, holding the
attention of all.
" Wiiat can you expect, my lord '.' '" continued ("olbcrt. " We
have done the best we couhl with our small means."
Fou([uet made a gesture of assent.
•' Hut." went on Colbert, " it would be worthy of your gen-
erosity, monsieur, to offer to his Majesty a fete in your wonder-
ful gardens — the gardens which cost you sixty millions."
'• Seventy-two," said Fnuiiuet.
" All the more reason," said Colbert. " It would really V)e
magniticent.''
'• lint do you think, monsieur," said Fou(]Uct, '• that his
Majesty would deign to aci'ept my invitation""
" Uh. I have not the least doubt of it." said Colbert, quickly,
" 1 will guarantee that he does.''
'• That is very kind of you," said Fouquet, ■• I may count on
you, then '.' "
" Yes, my lord, certainly.''
" I will think about it. then,"' said Fouquet.
■' Accept, accejit,'' whispered Aramis hastily.
" You will consider '.' '" repeated Colbert.
" Yes,'' replied F'ouquet, " tollnd out what day 1 can give the
King my invitation."
" Oil, this evening, my lord, this evening."
" Very well," said the superintendent. •• ( Jentlemen, 1
should like to extend an invitation to you, but you know
that wherever the King goes he is at home; therefore you
must be asked by his ^lajesty.''
There was a murmur of delight in the crowd.
Fouquet bowed and withdrew.
•' I'roiid wretch ! "' said (jolbert. " you accept, and yet you
know that it will cost you ten millions."
" You have ruined me," wiiispered Fouquet to .Vramis.
" 1 have saved you," replied the latter, as Fouquet ascended
the stairs and asked if the King were still visible.
THE OliDERLY CLERK.
<"HAi'Tr:R xxvFir.
211
TIIK KKKKIil.V rr.KUK.
Avxio,;.. to Iu> In lnms,.If i„ onlor to think over what was
..'..., oM ,M hKs heart, the Ki,,. ha,l reli.-e,! to his own n J.T
M. flp Smut. Ai.r...... l,.>.l <■ 1 ir ,. . ' ""^"IIM,
• •onversa-
^vhlM•eM. de.Saint-AiKnan ha.l foun.l him after the
linn witli Madame, wliieh we have rehited
I'lou.l of his double in.portan.e, and foelm- that two hours
.. ore h.. had heeon.e ,he Kind's eonf.dant, the^ favorite, tlo ^h
till lesiKvttnl, be^an to treat court affairs in rather a inr.
anded way. and fron. tlie point to whieh he ha.i ri e . .i-
ratlu-r the pos> ,on „. whieh ehanee had plaeed hin.. he saw
arnuud hun only love and garlands
The King-s l„ve for Madame; that ,.f Madaiue for the Kinc.-
liatot )e(;uH.he for Madan.e; that of La Valliere f.n^ "he
Ku,,; ,hat.d Malu...rneforMontalais; that of M^n seS
■i- lonnay.( harente for him, Saint-Ai^M.an - was not all Is
.nmv tha.i enough to turn the ],ead of a courtier ''
r.';^::t,td f^;sr ^"^ ^'^ ■""•'^' -^ ■"'' ^•^-■*^-^' p-^,
Furthernior.' Saint- Aignan was such a good story-teller and
such a subtle appreciator that the King listened to 1dm
showing much interest, ospeoially when he tohl of the ea"e^-'
ness with which Madame luuf asked for the coiversaTon
..■,^'.ar( ing the affairs of Mademoiselle de la Valliere
A though the King no longer felt for Madame iJenrietta
V at he once felt, there was in this eagerness of hers to ga n
on„atu.n a gratihcation of his vanity that he could'no
'■Mst. He was j.leased, therefore, but that was all, and not
'.I' an „,stant was his heart alarmed at anvthing\Ma lame
naght or might not think of the whole adventure. Siut when
i rSVe S'T. T' '',:""'' *'" ^"'•^' ^^ ^- '"-l^ h- tone'
Kii the niglit remarked:
'• Xow, Samt-Aignan, you know what .Mademoiselle de la
\ a! here is, do you not ? "
'• Xot only wliat she is, but what she will be "
'• \\ hat do you mean '/ "
•• I mean that she is all that a woman could wish to be that
- loveu by your Majesty; I mean that she will be all that
\uur Majesty wishes her to be." **
1
lit!
I'fi
■;•■*
Itfl
2V.
Tiff: viroMTi-: ni-: im \(;i-:/.(i.\.\i-:
'• Tli:if is not what I askod. I do imt wisli to know what
she is to-day and what sh(! will be to-inorrow. that coiicfrns
niP, as you have said, - hut what she was yt'sterday. llepeat
to me what is said of her.'"
" They say she is prudisli."
"Oh," said the Kiui,', siniliuij;, "that is more rumor."'
" Rare enough at court, Sire, for it to be believed when
heard."
" Perhaps you are right, my dear fellow. And well born '.' "
'• Very ; daughter of the Marquis de la Valliere and step-
daughter of that excellent M. de Saint- Uemy."
" Ah, yes, my aunt's steward - I remember — and I re-
mend)er too that I saw her as I passed through HI' She
was presented to the ([ueens. i must forsooth rejmiacu n.yself
for not having paid her ;ill the attention she deserved on that
occasion."'
"Oh, Sire, I depend oil your Majesty to make up for lost
time."'
" And the report is, you say, that Mademoiselle de la Valliere
has no lover '.' "
" In any ease, I scarcely think your Majesty need fear
rivalry."'
" Wait,"' cried the King suddenly, in a serious tone.
" What, Sire ? "'
" I remember."
" Ah : "'
" If she has not a lover, she is at least betrothed."
" Betrothed ".' "
" What, you did not know that, count ? "
" No."'
" You, who know everything ! "
" Your Majesty will excuse me. And you know this be-
trothed?"
" Without doubt ; his father came to ask me to sign the
contract ; it is — "'
The King no doubi: was about to pnmounce the name of the
Vicomte de r>ragel()iine, when suddenly he stopped with a frown.
" It is ? " repeated Saint-Aignan.
" I no longer remember,'" rei)liod Louis XIV., trying to con-
ceal an emoticm which he hid with ditficulty.
" Can I put your Majesty in the way '.' "' asked the Comte de
Saint-Aignan.
Ill
THE ORDERLY < LERK.
213
"> -rry - but l^X^ ^::^':j:^. ''^ '"--'^ <-' '""- w^^
"Uas It Mademoiselle de T.mr.-.,-^M
"KUTyV" asked Saint-Aignan '"""'^^"^ ''^''•«"^« ^^ --« to
•' fossibly," said the King
tiiid out about her " Aignaii, I rharge you to
■■ None, Sire."
•' She WHS not angry ? "
■; I do not know ; but"she lauglie.l constantly '•
, \ ery good. However, it seenis to lut \ \ ■ ■
t'iP antechand)er : thev hive .nnl ""''''' '"^ "°'^*^ '»
'• Ves, Sire." havecoiue to announce some courier."
'• Find out, Saint-Aignan "
•n..M.ount hastened to the door and exchanged some w„„„
'""iself, but as it is so late he will ,nV f '^ ,- P^'^^ents
'■'<" t'.beTJwaiLbret. he ?,;•,',"' """ °'"'°'^''' --'"'g
i"-..> at two o'oloek hit " *";'°»""S ;"»""nB ; he arrive?
7'';;'"' at .ee,„;' Ml;e*t 'ie l';';?"' wjirV'L'^'"'';
>:: "hnrhraSLr ^ru:;;,'"';:,?-' '™ ' ■-''™ ''■''-
^'■"1 return to-morrow " ' '^"'''^ "^ y^"'' inquiries
f'it'htstaft mrl.?'' ""^T °" ^'' "P^' ^"d Saint-Aignan
I
■f
214
rill-: vicoMii: in: r.i; \(.i.i.(>\m:.
t > Tl .
\
. . .
1
\
\
1
ThtTcujioii F'diKiui't Piitcn'd tho ri>y;il <li;iiiil)fr.
Lmiis XIV. ri-s»' to riMt'ivc liiiii.
"CoimI t■v(Mlill^^ M. l"(iiH|iift." s;ii(l lie. with ;ikit\illy siiiilp. " 1
coii^iriitulatf yoii mi lii'iii',' so inoiiii't : mv iiii'>siiu''' imist liiivf
reiiclu'il ynii l;itt>."'
'• At ii.in* (>"cl(ick ill the f'vt'iiiiij^, Sin'."
" \(m liiivc hcfii workiii;,' ii i^'rtMt dciil latclv, M. lAmiiuct.
for I iiiii told tliiit you have nut Icit your room at Saiut-M.uidi-
for thrt't' or four davs.'"
" Vfs. I havt' l.ct'U shut iii. for tiint' (hiys. Sir.-."' replifd
Fouquft, howiui,'.
'• Do you know. M. ' omiuft. that 1 liavr luiuiy thiiij,'.s to say
to you '.' ■■ coMtiuucd the Kin',', witli l\is most ^'racious luauiu'r.
•• Vour Majesty ovtM\vli>'luis mc .\nd smic you are s<ikind
will you let me reniiiid you of a luouiised audieuce you oiiee
made me '.' "
•• Ah, yes. some idiurchiiiau who thoui,dit he in\ist thank me;
was it not '.' "'
" Yes, Sire. The hour is perhaps hadly <hoscn. hut thv
time of him 1 briu.LC with me is very valu.'hlr, and as Fontaitie-
bleaii is on the way tu his diocese — "
•• Who is it ■.' "
"The last Hishop of Valines, whom at my reeommendatuni
your Majesty ilei^'iied to ap})oint three months ago."
"That is possible,"' said the Kiii','. who had sii;iied without
reading. '■ Is he here '.' '"
" Yes, Sire ; Valines is an imjiortani diocese ; the tlock of this
pastor needs his divine care; they are savages whom it is al-
ways imiiortant to polish as well as instruct, and M. d'llerbiay
is without e(pial in iiiissi(Mis of this kiml."
" M. d'llerbiay I" said the King, sear'diing his memory a<(
if this name, heard long ago, was not, however, unknown to
him.
" Oh," said Fomiuet, hastily, " your Majesty does not know
the obscure name of one of your most faithful subjects aii>l
most valuable of servants ? "
"No, 1 admit it. And he wishes to set of? again? "
" He received letters to-day which will jierhaps necessitate
his leaving ; so that before sUrting lor the unknown country
called Bretagne he is desirous of paying his respects to your
Majesty."
" Is he waiting ? "
THE ORDKHLY rlJ:nK.
oir
Ifi
" Yps, Sir.-."
" Miivp liiiii filter.''
F<Ki<lti»'t_ni;i.l.. ;i .si;-,, t.. tht' „sl,cp \vi„, sI.mmI l.ci,i,„| tlio
^.ipi'stiy. Tlic (l,M,i (,|„M,.'(1 iiiid .\i;ii,iis cainc iii. •rii.- KiiiL'
I't Inm pay lus .•..in|,liim.„t.s. and H.x.'d a Ion- look on the
laif wlilrl,, oi,c<' s.'fll, (•(inld nr\ci- 1„. io,-4oItr|i
" Vaim.'s : " ,sai.. i,e; •• you aiv H,.sl,oirut Vanu.-s, mon-
•• Vos. Siro."
'• Is Valines in I'.retagne V "
A lain is bowed.
" Near the sea'.' "
Araniis bowed aj^ain.
" Suiiie lea^'iies from Helle-Lsle ? "
'• Ves, Sire," said Araniis; " si.x, I b^dieve."'
" Six leaj,Mies are but a .step." .said L.aiis XIV.
" Not for us pour Kretons, Sire." .said Araniis ; "si.K leagues
IS a lon.iT d^tanee if tiiey are si.x leagues ov land; if six on
sea. tlie .hstan.e is inunen.se. Hesides. I l.ave tlu- l.ouor to .say
to your Ma,e«f.V tl.at we connt si.x lea-ues of sea fron, ti.e
liver to Helle-Isle.''
-Tl.ev say that M. Foiupiet has a verv beautiful house
tiiere . .said the Kiii;,'.
" ^■es, so It is .said," replie.l Araniis, h.oking ealiulv at Fou-
iplet.
•• It is said '.' " repeated the KiiH'
" 1 es. Sire.
'• Why really, .M. Fouciuet, one thing surprises me, yon will
admit.
•• What is that ? "
•■That you have at the head of your parish a man like M.
'1 llerhlay, and yet you liave not shown him iVlle-isle."
•■Oh, Sire," replied Araniis. without giving Fouquet time to
I'ply ; •' we poor Hreton prelates stav in our residences "'
'■ M. de Valines," .said the King, "'l shall punish M. Fouquet
lur Ills carelessness." ^
" In what way. Sire ? "
'• I shall change your residence.''
Fouquet bit his lips ; Araniis smiled.
••What income do you get from Vannes'.'" continued the
J\iiig.
'■ Six thousand livres, Sire," said Aramis.
tSH
216
THE VICOMTE DH HRAGEI.OXNE.
r-* ~
m^-
.9-', •■.
" In good sooth, a petty sum ! lUit you liave property of
your own, M. de \'annes '.' "
"None at all. Sire; but M. Fouquet pays me twelve hun-
dred livres a year t'oi his pew rent."
" Well, M. d'Herblay. I can promise you more than that."
" Sire — ■'
" I shall remember you."
Aranus bowed.
The K\n^ saluted him almost with respect, as, for that
matter, was liis habit ot loing with women and churchmen.
Aramis understood that his audienct; was at an end : he
took leave in the simple manner of a country pastor and with-
drew.
'• His is a remarkable face," said the Kin;^', following him as
far as he could see him. and even farther.
" Sire," replied Fouquet, " if this bisho]) had had an early
education no prelate in the kingdom wouUl have ' jserved
distinction more than he."
" He is not educated ? "
" He ex(dianged the sword for the chasuble, and that rather
late in life. Hut no matter, if your Majesty will jiermit me to
speak of M. de Vanues another time — "
" I beg you to do so. But before speakiny of him let us talk
of you, monsieur."
'< Of me. Sire ? "
" Yes. I have a thousand compliments to pay you."
" I cannot tell your Majesty with what joy you overwhelm
me."
" Yes, M. Fouquet, 1 understand. I must admit I have had
some prejudices against you."
" In that ca.se I have been very unfortunate. Sire."
" But they have passed. Have you not noticed '.' "
"Yes, Sire, but I was quietly waiting the day of revelations.
It seems that that day has come."
" Ah, you knew you were in disgrace '.' "
" Alas, yes, Sire."
" And do you know why ? "
" Perfectly. Your Majesty thought rae extravagant."
" Oh, no."
" Or rather a poor administrator. Your Majesty thought
that because the people had no money the King would have
none."
THE ORDERLY CLERK.
217
'• Ves, 1 (lid think that ; hut I am undeceived."
K( (liquet h()we(h
"And no uiirisiii<,'s, no coin])laints."'
" And money,"" said Fouquet.
" Tiie fact is that you liave showered it upon me the past
niontli."
••I still liave some, not only for your Majesty's needs, but
tiir all your fancies."
"Thank (lod, M. Fouquet,"' replied the King, seriously, "I
>liall not put you to the test. For two months I shall ask'vou
hir nothing,'.'"
•• 1 siiall take advantaj;je of this to amass for vour Majesty
live or six millions which will be of use to you inVase of war.''
•• Five or six nnllions ".' "
•• For your lion.sehold alone, be it understood."'
•• Vou tliink there will be war, then, M. Fouquet '.' "
•• r think that if God lias given to the eagle a beak and
claws, it is for him to use them to show his royalty.'"
'I'he King blushed with jjleasure.
^^ '• We have spent a great deal during the past few days, M
rouquet; do you not scold me" "
•• Sire, your Majesty still has twenty years of youth and a
tliousand million to spend in those twenty years."
•■ A thousand million ! that is a very great deal, M. Fouquet "
said the King. '
•• I will economize, Sire. Besides, in M. Colbert and myself
your Majesty has two valuable men. The one will make yor
siH'iKi his money, and that will be myself, if of course m -
service still pleases your Majesty ; the other will make you
•conomi/.e, and this will be M. Colbert."
•• -M. Colbert ! " cried the King, surprised.
'• Certninly, Sire; M. Colbert is excellent at keepin-
•MTount., ' At this praise of the enemy by the enemy, the
King felt himself tilled with confidence and admiration
1 here was neither in Fouquet"s voice nor g!an;e anyt'hing
■>vlnch could destroy the effect of the words he had just
lutcici ; he had not given praise in order to win the right to
make two reproaches.
The King understood, and yielded to so much generosity
and spirit. "^
'• Vou ])ra; e ]\r. Colbert ? " said he.
'• Certainly, Sire ; for besides the fact of his being a man of
^m
j^
-!.||6
I
-. «■
'To
218
Till: vicoMTi: ni: iiii.\i,i:L<>\\i:.
merit, I believe liiiu to be thorou^^hly <' voted to jour Maj-
esty's interests.''
" Is that because he has so often chished witli yours V "' asked
the Kiu},', smiling;.
" Exactly, Sire."
" Explain yourself."
" It is very simple. I am the man needed to get money ;
he is the one needed to keep it from bein;^' spent."'
"Come, come, M. le Surintendant, the devil! you will cer-
tainly say something which will correct this good opinion."
" In regard to administrative abilities, Sire'.' "
" Yes."
<'Not at all, Sire.''
" Really '.' "
"On niv honor. I know no better clerk in France than M.
Colbert." '
In 1061 the word - clerk" had not the servile meaning which
it has to-day ; but on leaving the lips of Foiupiet, whom the
King liad just called M. le Surintendant, it acquired some-
thing hundde and iusiguiticant that restored Fouquet to his
position and Colbert to his.
" Vs'ell,'' said Louis XIV.. " nevertheless it was he, econom-
ical as he is, who ordered my fetes at Fontainebleau ; and I
acsure you. M. Fouquet, that lie was far from jjreventing my
money from being spent.''
Fouipiet bowed without rei)lying.
" Is not that your ojjinion '.' '' said the King.
" I think, Sire," replied tiie other, "that M. Colbert carried
out everything with great onler, and for this deserves tlie praise
of your Majesty.'"
The word "order" was a fitting accompaniment to the word
"clerk." No one was more keenly sensitive or more tactful
than the King, who perceived and .seized sensations before the
sensations themselves.
Louis XIV. understood, tlierefore, that in Fouquet's o])inion
tlie clerk had been too well ordered; that is, that the splendid
fetes of Fontainebleau might have been more beautiful still.
Consequently the King felt that there might be some one
who would lind fault witli his amusements; and he felt some
of the vexation of a provincial who, attired in the best clothes
his wardrobe can furnish, arrives in I'aris, where the well-
dressed man considers him too little or too much dressed.
FONTA/XI-BLEjr AT IIVO L\ TH/J MOIiyjXt;. 210
This part of the conversation, so quietly yet so cleverly car-
nod on by Fonquet, inspired the King with 'the highest esteem
Inr the character of the man and the capability of the min-
ister.
Fouquet left at two o'clock in the morning, and the Kin-'
went to bed somewhat restless and confused on account of the
indirect lesson he had just received ; and two good quarters of
an hour were spent by him in going over again in memory the
embroi.lenes, the tapostnes, the menus of the supj.ers, the ar-
rlntecture of the truimphai .-..rches, the arrangements for the
Illuminations and Hreworks, pianned by order of the clerk Col-
bert. The result was that the King, going over all that had
happened during the past week, found that there had been
some mistakes in his fetes.
Thus by his courtesy, his grace and generosity, Fouquet had
injured ( olbert more deeply than the latter by his artifice, his
il!-wili, his persevering hatred had ever yet succeeded in hurt-
ing rouquet.
CHAPTER XXIX.
FONTAINEBLEAU AT TWO oYlOCK I.V TIIK MORNING.
As we have seen, Saint-Aignan had left the King's chamber
just as the superintendent entered it.
Saint-Aignan was charged with an important mission ; and
Naint- Aignan was going to do all in his power to make good
use of his time.
The man we have introduced as the King's friem' was an
exceptional man ; one of those valuable courtiers whose vigi-
lance and acuteness of perception throw into the shade every
tavorite past and future, and whose accuracy counterbalanced
the servility of Dangeau. So Dangeau was not the favorite
I lilt the toady of the King.
Saint-Aignan therefore considered. He thought that the first
mi-rmation he ought to have should come from De (Juiche
lierefore he went to him Hut De Guiche, whom we saw
'lisappear around the wing of the chateau and who seemed to
I'c g'lmg to his own room, did not do so.
Saint-Aignan set out in search of him. Hav.ug turned,
220
THE VICOMTE DE IIU .[<, ElAlXXE
1
■
twisted, and searched, Saint-Aignau perceived something like a
human form leaning against a tree.
This figure was as motionless as a statue, and seemed deeply
engaged in watching a window, although its curtains were
closely drawn.
As this window was Madaine's, Saint-Aiguan concluded that
the figure was that of De (luiche. He advanced cautiously
and saw that he was not mistaken.
After his conversation with .Madame, De (Juiclie iiad carried
away such a weight of hajipiness that all his strength of mind
was not enough to enable him to suppml it.
On his side, Saint- .\ignan knew that De (Juiche had had
something to do with tiie introduction of La Vallicre into
Madanu'"s household ; a courtier knows everything and rem"— .-
hers everything. Only he was ignorant of how and uma'r
what conditions De (riiiche had acc(U'ded his protection to La
Valliere. liut as in asking many (piestions it is seldom that h
man does not learn something, Saiiit-Aignan counted mi learn-
ing much or little by (juestiouing De (Jiiiche with all tact and
at tiie same time with all tiie insistence t)f which he was
capable.
Saint-Aignan"s plan was as follows: If the information were
satisfactory he would tell the King with effusion that he had
lighted on a i>earl, and claim the [jrivilege of setting the pearl
in the royal crown.
If tlie information were unsatisfactory — which after all was
possible — he wc^uld find out how much l!ie King cared for La
Valliere and m.ake use of his infornuition gained to get rid of
the young girl, in order to take advantage of her expulsion with
all the hulies of the court who might have any i)retensions to
the King's heart, beginning with Madame and ending with the
Queen.
In case the King should show liimself obstinate in his desire,
he would conceal the disagreeable information, but would let
La Valliere know that this informaticm was kept in a secret
drawer of the confidant's memory. Thus he would increase
his generosity in tlie eyes of the poor girl and keep her in con-
stant suspense between gratitude and fear, so winning a friend
at court interested as an accomplice in making his fortune as
well as her own.
As to the day when the bombshell of tlie past should burst.
— supposing it ever did burst, — Saint- .Viguau promised him-
FoXTA/Xr/iLHAf AT TWO IX THE MORXIXr,. 221
sell' that ho wduld liavp takoii all jiossible precautions, and that
he wiMild pictfMid (Mitiic iijiuiiaiicc to the Kin".
'!"() La \'allierc he would even on that day still be playing
thi' rule of benefactor.
It was with thcM- ideas developed within half an hour by the
tire of covetousness tiiat Saint-Aignan, the best son in the
world, as La Fontaine would have said, set out with the well-
phiiined intention of making De 'iuiclie speak, that is, to
troulde him in his happiness _ a happiness of which for that
matter Saint-Aignan was ignorant
It was one o'clock in the morning when Saint-Aignan saw
De (Juiche standing motionless, leaning against the trunk of a
tree, his eyes iixed on the lighted window, —one o'cdock in the
morning, that is, the sweetest hour of night, that which painters
cniwn with myrtle and with opening poppies ; the hour when
eyes are heavy, when tiic heart palpitates, when the head is dull ;
an hour which easts upon the day ju.st past a look of regret]
an hour which addresses a loving greeting to the new morn.
For De Gniche it was the dawn of ineffable hai)pinesb ; he
wouhl have given a tieasure to a beggar had one risen before
him, in order that he might not be interrupted in his dreams.
It was just at this hour that Saint-Aignan, ill-advised,—
scltislmess ahvays counsels wrongly, — touched him on the
shoulder just as he was murmuring a word, or ratJic. a name.
•• -Vh," said he, stupidly. •• I was looking for you."
'■ For me '.' "' said De (J niche with a start.
•• Ves ; and I find you gazing at the moon. Do you chance
to be attacked by a jioctic mania, my dear count'/ Are vou
'■omposing verses '.' ''
The young man forced his lips to smile, while a thousand
'imtlicting thoughts alumt Saint-Aignau were struggling in the
deptiis (d' his heart.
■• l'erha[)S," said he. " But what happy chance — "'
•• Ah : I see that you misunch-rstood me.'"
'• How so ? "
" I began by telling you I had been looking fur you."
*• Looking for nu^ '.' "'
" Ves, and 1 tind you in the very act.''
"<)f what, pray?"
■• Why, of singing to Phyllis.'"
•• That is true. I do not tleiiy it."' said De Guiche, laughing
■ Ves, my dear count, 1 was singing to Phyllis."'
1 '
1
uWL
'%
n
822
THE VK'OMTK />/•; BRAdKLOXNE.
m
•' That is your right.''
" My riglit ? "
" Yes, certainly, you, tiie intrejiid protector of every clevei
and beautiful woman."
" What the devil have you come to tell me '.' "
" Well-known truths, I am quite aware. Hut wait a moment.
I am in love."
" You ? •'
" Yes."'
" So much the better, dear count. Tell me about it."
And De (Juiche, fearing that Saint-Aignaii a little later would
perhaps notice the lighted window, took the count's arm and
strode to lead him away.
"Oh," said the latter, resisting, "do not take me into those
dark woods. It is too damp there. Let us stay in the nuxm-
light, won't you ? "
And while yielding to the pressure of De (luiche s arm he
remained in the gardens which adjoined the chateau.
" Come." said De (iuiche, resignedly, " lead me where you
will and ask me what you please.''
" One coulil not be more complaisant than you.''
Then after a moment's silence Saint-Aignan continued :
" Dear count, I want you to tell me something about a cer-
tain person whom you have protected."
" And whom you love."
" I will say neither yes nor no. You understand that one
does n<jt place his heart where it may be trifled with, and that
it is necessary to take measures of security in advance."
" You are right,'' said De (Juiche with a sigh. " The heart
is very precious.''
" ^Iine is especially tender and I offer it to you as such.''
" Oh, you are well known, coiuit. Well '.' "
" It is simply a (]uestion of Mademoiselle ile Tonnay-
Charente."'
" Why, my dear Saiut-Aignan, I should think you were
going mad."
" Why so '.' "
"I have never protected Mademoiselle de Tonnay-Charente."
" Bah : "
" Never ! "
" Was it not you who gained admission fm Mademoiselle de
Tonnay-Charente to Madame's household ?"
F<KyT.lLVEBLEAr AT TWO /.V THI- MORMSa. 223
" .^r|l.lem(.i.spIle do T.,nnay-(;i.arente - a„.l you .m-'ht t..
n-.w „ better tl.a. any ,.ne else, ,.ount - is of suffi ie fy Lk
liUiuly to he wanted and admitted anywhere " ^ ^
" ion are jesting.''
^^';.No, upon my word, I do nut know what you are driving
'' ^jon had nothing to do with hei admission ? "
" Vou do not know her " "
.^Ud.ime. No. as f have never been interested in her as \ do
H't know her. I an. not able, n,y dear eount, to g hi'you t «
iiitormation you desire." > '•i j,i^e you cue
And l)e Guiehe made as if to leave his interlocutor
V „ 1 M'" ". '^'Unt-Aignan, " one instant, my dear count •
.\ou shall not escape me thus" j- "t^ar count ,
rooms'" ^""' ^"" '' ''''"' '' '"^ ^''=^* '^ '^ ^i'"^ **' return to our
^-^ Vet you will not go in when I - did not n,eet but found
'•.And \oii do well, I assure vmi ' A l.oif i
-n ...ake no djiference. Swl? that'Jhe^ V ru.nlg':.^ yZ
;«'"> to you to be as poorly inloL.ed as fapp a t s cer a n
a you supphed the princess's hou-sehl^Jd with LlTefo
l">noi. A song was even written on this very subiect - ''
cv;rytT,'ing.''""' "'' '^''' ^"'"''' ^^"* ^'^''^^^^^^ "-^^ about
" Do you know this one '.' ''
^ _^--^Xn ; but s.ng it to „.e,and I shall then make its acquaint-
^_^-j^I cannot tell you how it begins, but I remember how it
" Good : that is at least something."
"'Of nuiids (if honor, gentle sir,
I)e (fiiiehe is named the furnisher.'"
t*$i
II
i
I
224
TUE VICOMTE DE BRAdELONNE.
Ydu 've found the
These are the two
and Saint-Aii'nan
"The iilea is weak and the rhyme poor."
'' Itut what can yon expect, my dear fellow ? It is neither
Racine's nor Moliere's. It is La Feuillade's, and a great lord
cannot rhyme like a miserable poet."
" It is too bad that you remember only the ending."
" Wait : wait I The beginning of the second couplet is com-
ing to me."
" I am listening."
"' He has filK'd tlip binl-cngo fair,
Montalais ami — ""
" Odds-fisli ! And La I'nllierc .' " cried De CJuiche, impa-
tiently, completely ignorant of where Saint-Aignan was leading
liim.
•' Yes, yes, that 's it '. La Valliere !
rhyme, my dear fellow."'
" (Jreat find, I must say.'"
" Moiiftifiiis (iinf Lit Va/lien\ that "s it.
young girls in whom you are interested!
began to laugh.
" And you do not find Ma<lemoiselle de Tonnay-Charente in
the song'."' said De Guiche.
" No, indeed."
" Are you satisfied, then ? "'
" Certainly. But I find Montalais there," said Saint-Aignan,
still laughing.
" Oh, you will find her everywhere. She is a very restless
young lady."
" Do you know her '.' "
" Indirectly. She was the proterjei' of a certain Malicome
who is interested in Manicamp. Manicamp made me ask for
the position of maid of honor for Montalais in Madame's
household and for a position f(jr Malicorne in Monsieur's. I
did so. You know very well that I have a weakness for that
fellow Manicamp."
'• And you obtained your request ? "
" For Montalais, yes. For Malicorne, yes and no. As yet
he is only on trial. Ls that all you want to know ? ''
"The rliyine is left."'
" What rhyme '.' "'
" The rhyme you found."
"La Valliere V"
!|i
FoyrAIXr.BLHAU at two I.X the MORMXa. lilV,
" Yes/'
.rril;;;' f ;;i"S '"'''™ "• ""'"" ""'""• " ""■^" "'■'^'- Brea,!,
i..:;l;:',IC ;;"|;' .";:.'"""• " ' ' '- ""-""" "■ ■■"•'"■■"-■■^
" Ah .'■■ saiil Saint- Aignau.
•• I!ut," .•..utiMu,.,! I)e(;uiche iu I.is .-oolest lu.annor, .'you
uou M make n.e very ha,,,,y, dear eount, ,f you did not joke
about tl.at nan.e. Mademoiselle la Hau.ne le J'.lane de la
\ alliere is a very dignitied voung lad v."
'• Very digidtied '."'
" Yes."
\\'nvm ^'"'' ^''''''' "°'' ^"^"''^ ^'"' ^''^'^^^ '■'"''"'■^'■' "■'^•^^ Saint-
•• Nc, and moreover you would do me a favor, mv dear
<yunt, by keeping tins report to yourself, and to tlu.s'e who
iue eirculating it.
•• Ah, ball ! you take the thing seriously, then " -
best^Snds!^''"'"'''^'' '^" ^''' ^'^'''^'■' '^'^"^■'"^ ^y ""^^ ^f "'y
Saiiit-Aignan gave a start.
"Oh, ho!'' said he.
'■ Yes, eount," continued De Guiohe. "Consequently, you
^ J.yue the most eourtly man of France, can understand dia
ni;l'sity:""'"'^*""'''" ^'' ''^' "''*''' ''^^^ '" ^"°^''' '''-^'f '" ^'^«l^'l
I'e (Juiche made liiin a low bow.
desblT/b"*^ "II *'''''''■'"" '^*'^ -Saint-Aignan, consumed with a
desire to know the name of the fri(>nd
to FhyHisN'''^' '"^ '^''''" ^'^^''""- ^ ^'" ^'"'"^' '° fi"^^^ '"y ''"^^
" And these lines ? ''
'in:^^i L ^T'' "■" ""'"^^^"'^' ^^° ^"" ""*■ ^^-^ ^
"' Ye.s, indeed."'
tLerl^'^n '""'' """' ? *^' ^""•' ''"'^^ Of ^^-hi^h it is composed
wits - '"""''' '' ''"'^ '" ''"'^ '^ ^^ '"^^1^' I "^^'i ^11 >ay
" I quite understand. Good-night, count •'
" Good-night."
Vol. II. — i&
>'!>{
ill
226
77//; \'i<'<)\fiE !)K liUAar.i.o.wi:.
>v.
1
thrci' liiK's ami a lialf bv
(lisiiiissal : lif iliil so,
iiiid S:iiiit-Ai''iiaii
" By the way — "
" What ? •'
'• Are yoii f^ood at rli\miii^ ? "
" 'i'remeiKhmsly."'
" Will yiti liavo fiiiishiMl ymir
to-inorrow iiKiniiug '.' '"
" I hope so."
" Well, till to-iiKirrow, thou."
" Till to-iiu/i'i-ow."
Saiut-Ai^'iKui was IohmmI to accejit his
aiul ilisappeartMl hcliiiid the licdi,'!'.
Their coiivorsaliDii had h-il l)e (iuirhe
quite a distame from the chateau.
Es ery matlieiiiaticiaii, every jioet, and "\ eiy dieaiiier lias his
anuisemeuts. < )u leaviui,' l)e (iui(die Sainr-.\ii,'nau tound him-
selt then at the ed},'e of the j^rove in tie jiiaee wheie the out-
buildings l)e,L,MU. and where, behind i,'reat thickets of acacias
and ehestiiut-trees twistinij their branches beneath masses of
clematis and young vines, the wall rose winch se[)arates the
wood from the court-yard.
Left alone, Saint-Aignau took the jiath to these buildings.
De Guiche turned in the upi'osite direction. The one returned,
therefore, to the gardens; the other went towards the walls.
Saint-Aiguau walked under an im|)eiietrable arch of moiui-
tain ash, lilacs, and gigantic hawthorns ; on soft saml, hjst in
tlie shadow, his footsteps deach'ued by the moss.
He was planning a revenge which seemed to him ditficult to
execute. He was checkmated, as Talleinent des Keau.x would
have said, by his failure to learn more about La N'allit're, in
spite of the tact he had used in leading the conversation to her.
Suddenly the murmur of voices reached him, whispers like
a woman's, comi)laints mingled with entreaties, smotliered
laugliter, sighs, lialf-stitled exclamations ; but through all the
woman's vt)ice dcuninated.
Saint-Aignan stopped and looked abo\it him ; he saw with
surprise that the voices came not from i)elow, but from the
trees overhead.
As he glided along he raised his head and saw at the top of
the wall a woman perched on a ladder in dee]) conversation
with a man seated in a tree. His head could be seen, but his
body was h)st in the sliadow of the chestnut-tree.
The woman was on this side uf the wall, the man on that.
THE t.MiYinSTII.
(IIAI'IKII XXX.
THi: I.AUVKINTII.
Saint- AnjXAx had 1)»'»mi spfkiiit; Uw information only and
)iad stinnl>I(
il lilioii an a.lvciitmc. 'I'liat was luck.
( 'uiioMs to know uli\ and al.oiii wliat tliis man and tliis woman
wci-f talking,' at siicli an lioni- and in sucli a stran-i' position,
>aint-.\ij,'nan noucji.-d down and went almost to tlie rounds
of til.' ladder. Thfii making liimstdf as comfortalde as pos.
-liilf he leaned against a tree and listened. He heard flie
tollowiiii,' dial()j,'ue.
The woman was speaking,'.
•• Heally, .M. .Manieanip," said she, in a voiee which in the
midst of the reproaclies she was utterin;,' preserved a sin<,'ular
anvnt of c.xpietry. "really you are dreadfully indiscreet l" \\>
laiinot talk loiij,' like tliis without Immu^ cau'^ht."
••That's very likely/' interrupted the man in the calmest-
>iiiii coolest of tones.
•• Well, what would pecplo say then '.' Oh ! if anv one saw
nic I declare I should die of shame."
"Oh! that would he very childish. I do not believe you
I'lipahle of it.'"
•• There might he some e.xcuse iiad there been anything be-
tween us. But to injure myself gratuitously — really that
would be foolish of me. (Jood-night. M. de Manicamj.."'
"(Joodll know the man. Now I must .see the woman,"
said Saint-Aignan, watching on the rounds of the lachier two
little feet enca.sed in elegant blue satin slippers and flesh-
rulored stockings.
•• t»h, come, come, for pity's sake, my dear Montahiis." cried
Manicamp. " (h) not go away ! The devil ! I liave manv things
I'l the greatest importance to say to you."
•• Montiilais ! •' said Saint-Aignan"^ to ]iimself; "one of the
tiiiee ! Each liad lier adventure, only it seemed to me that this
line's hero was Malicorno and not Manicamp."
At her companion's apjieal, Montalais stopped in tlie middle
"I lier descent. Tlie unfortunate Manicamp could then be seen
climbing from branch to branch of tlie (diestnut-tree, either to
unin-ove his position or to overcome the fatigue of his incon-
veaieut attitude.
1!
:tti«l
/■///•; I'li'oMTi: i)i: nuA'n-iLowsK.
i|i
U4<*l
i
lit
i
"Coino," said ho, •' listen to iiif ! Vnii kimw vf-ry wpII, I
liopo, that I havo no evil inttMitimis."
'• Of comsp ! I?ul wliy <ii<l you write mo that letter roiisiii<»
inv fjratitude '. Why (li(l you aNk me ior this interview at such
an hour ami in sueh a place V "
•' I roused your ^,M•atitU(le by recalling,' to you the fact that it
was I who hail lieeu the means of your onterini^ Madame's
service, hecause, hein;^ ^'reatly desirous of the interview which
vou have been f^ood enou^'h to accord me, I used, in order to
obtain it, the means wh.ch seemed to be the surest. Why did
I ajipoiiit such an hour and such a idace'.' It was because the
hr>nr seemed tome the safest and the place solitary. Moreover,
I had to (piestion you on subjects whit'h re(iuire both discretion
and solitude."
" M. de .Mauicamp I "
" Milt everythini,' honorable, mademoiselle."
" M. de Manicamp, I think it would be more httiiiij fornu'to
retire."
•• Listen to me or I will jump from my nest into yours; and
take care how you defy me, for just at jjresent there is a branch
in my way which j)n)vokes me e.xceedingly. Do not imitate this
branch, but listen to me.''
"I will consent to listen to you. but be brief, for if a
branch is annoying' you, the- round of a ladder is goin^'
through the soles of my feet. My shoes are worn through, 1
warn yon."
" Do me the kindness to give me your hand, inadeinoi-
selle."
"Why?"
" Give it to me."
" Here it is. ]'>ut what are you going to do?"
" I am going to draw you towards me."
" lint what for '.' Vou certainly do not expect me to join yon
in your tree ? ''
'•No, but I want yon to sit on the wall. There! so! the
place is wide and comfortable, and I would give a good deal to
be sitting beside you."
" No ; you are veiy well where you are, and we should be
seen."
" Do you think so ? " asked Manicamp in an insinuating
tone.
" I am sure of it."
THE LAnVRiyril.
•2-2'J
•• Wry W..11 ; I will r.Mi.iii., i„ ,„y treo, aitl...uKh I ruul.l M,.t
Im' more iincoiiifiirtahlc.
"M. .M.iMiciini,, wo un- wiii.deriug fn,,,, th.. siihi.vt "
'• 1 JKit IS tint;."
•• Vim wrote to me ";'"
"I did."
" W'liy did you write '.' "
^^ ^•- I'i.ti.re to yourself that to-lay at two o',lo.k De (i„idie
•• Weil:"'
'•Seeiu- liim <^n I followed him, as is mv lial.it"
'• I see that ch'arly euou^di, sin.e von are h,-u' i,o '
" \\ ait a moment. Vou know, ,lo you not, that t}.is nour L>e
'.mclie IS np to his neck in dis.'raee " "'
••Alas, yes!"
"It wa,;, therefore, the heif^d.t of in.pru.lenee for hin, to ,.ome
to I'onta.ne .lean tosee tho.se who had e.v,l..d hin. in i'aris. ai.d
• •specially those from whom he had heen .separated "
" \ou reason like the late Pythagoras, M. Manicamp "
•• -Moreover, l)c (iuudie is as obstinate as any h-vcr, tlu'refore
"■ ^v•^u d not listen to any of n.y remonstrances. I he ed
'-^ ,,i l>."s.n.,ht him! Hewould listen tc m.thing- ah:the
•• What is the matter '.' ''
"I bet,' your pardon, but this cursed branch which I have
.^heady ha,l the lionor of mentioning has torn a part of my
M.' Mlm^am^""'^'^'''^ ''""''''''' '"'^'''"^' " "' ^^^ us continue,
" I)e (Juiche therefore set off on horseback as fast as he
;;;nM ..a I followed him at a slower rate. You urn e stand
>lMt to throw ones self into the water with a friend,aM.l at the
-t.nc rapnl rate as he throws himself, is the a.'t of a fool or of
^' n.adman. I therpfore let De Guiche go on in advance aid
;;;;nt niy w.y with the slowest of wisdom, persuaded a i 1
.e unf.u-tnnate man would not be received, or if he we I'e
tic would rule away at the first cross word and that I
^l.ouhl see hun returning m.ieh faster than he went, without
■.V having gone farther than Ris or Melun _ an.l 1 at was
■:^^^t^^ "'' admit, since it is eleven leagues therl TiS
-Moutalais shrugged her shoulders.
I!
I.
• .^. liil
230
THE VICOMTE DE UllACEinNNE.
^^•h'hi
" Laut'h as nmcli as vou please, luaileinoiselle, but if instead
of behifT .•oiufoitahly seated ..u the top of a wall as you ave,
you were seated on a branch as if on horseback, you would, like
AuL'iis*:us, aspire to descend." .
-A little patience, luy dear M. Manicanip. A moment is
soon over ; you were saying, then, that y.ni had -one beyond Kis
and Melun ? " , x .■ i ..
" Yes I had gone beyond Kis and Melu:i: I continued to go
on and on, more and more astonished at not seeing him return,
until finally here 1 am at Fontainebleau. I look and inquire
evervwhere" for De (iuiche; no one has seen him, no one has
spoken to him in the town; he arrived, at full gallop entered
the chateau, and disappeared. Since eight o'clock this evening
I have been at Fontainebleau asking for De (Juiche every-
where, but no De Gniche \ 1 am dying of anxiety. You
understand that I have not been throwin;^ m.yselt into the
lions- den by entering the chatean as my imprudent friend has
done ■ I came straight to the servants' (piarters and succeeded
in getting a letter to you. Now, mademoiselle, in heaven s
name, relieve me of my anxiety."'
"That will not be difficult, my dear M. Manicamp ; your
friend De Guiche has been admirably received."
" The King smiled on him."
«' The King, who exiled liim ! " vi x •
" Madame' also smiled on him : Monsieur seems to like him
better than 'ever." , i ,. i,„
"Ah!" said Mauicamp, "thai explains how and wli} lie
has remained. And he has not spoken of me '.' "'
"Not a word." ^ ,.
" That is evil of him. What is he doing now .
"Sleeping, in all probabiHty. Or if not sleeping, dream-
in*' '*
" An.l wliat have they been doing all the evening V "
" Dancing." ^ . ^ ^ „
"The famous ballet? How was De Guiene .
" Superl) I " 1 1 11 ii
« Dear fellow 1 Now forgive me, mademoi-seile, but all that
remains for me to do is to join you over there."
» What do you mean '." " , , ., i
" \ou see, i do iu)t suppos." that they would open the dwr
of the chateau to me at this hour, and as to sleeping on this
ii»
THE LABYRINTH.
231
bnuich I mi„'ht be willing to do it, but I vow it would be ira-
I<()ssil)Ie lor any animal except a popinjay."
•' l!ut, M. Manicanip, I cannot a.lmita man over the wall like
that.
- Two, mademoiselle,-' said a second voice, but in so timid a
tone that it was easily seen that its owner realized all the im-
propriety of such a re<pi.'st.
'-Good Heaven!" cried Jlontalais, tryimr to see as far as
tlie toot of the tree. " Who is speaking to me '.' "
" I, mademoiselle I "'
" Who are you :' "
" Malicorne, your very humble servant.'' And as he spoke
^mlicorne raise.l himself from the ground to the verv lowest
blanches, and from tliem to the top of the wall
•' M. Malicorne ! Great goodness ! But you are both of you
"How do you do, raademois ,?- said Malicorne, with
great i)olitenes,s.
"Tins was all I ne-dad," crie.l Montalais in .lespair
'•' , mademoiselle," murmured Malicorne, "do not be so
harsh, 1 beg of you.'
'• And then, mademoiselle," said Manicamp, " we are vour
Inends, an.l no one desires the death of her friends. To let us
I'ass the night where we are is to condemn us to death "
•'Oh, said Montalais, '' M. xMalicorne is i.)bust. He will
not die for having j.assed a night under the stars."
" Mademoiselle ! "
" It will be a just punishment for his escai.ade."
' \ ery well. Let Malicorne arrange with you a.s best he
: .'; /^TTr /fl Manicamp. And bending the famous
...inch which he had derided, he succeeded, by the aid ..f his
l.^mds and feet, in seating himself by the side of Montalais,
ul.otned to push him back, w' '. he tried to maintain hi.s
position. 1 his struggle, which > ted several moments, had its
'u'couii?'^"*' ' ^^ '^^"'''' '^'" ''^ «aint.Aignaii took full
Hut Manicamp came out ahead. Master of the ladder, he
placed his foot on it, then offered liis hand gallantly to his
Mean, hile Malicorne installed himself in the chestnuUree,
■|. l.e puice which had been oc'cupied by Manican.p. promising
iMiiselt to succeed the latter in the place he now occupied
282
THE VICOMTE DE BRAGELONSE.
i
Manicainp and Montalais desoended a few rounds, Manicamp
insisting on his rights and Muntalais hiughingly defending
herself. Tlien Malicorne's voiee was heard entreating:
'•Mademoiselle, do not leave me, I beg I ^\\ ixisition is in-
secure and I cannot reach the other side of the wall in safety ;
if Manicamp tears his clothes, what matter? He has M. de
(iuiche's; but I shall not have even those of Manicami), since
they will be torn.''
'•My opinion,'" said Manicamp, without noticing Malicorne's
lamentations, '• is that the best thing to do is to go at once and
find De Guiche. Later, perhaps, I may not be able t(j get into
his apartments.''
" That is my opinion too," replied Montalais, " so go at once,
M. Manicamp."
" A thousand thanks ! An rcrolr, mademoiselle,"' said Mani-
camp, springing to the ground ; '• no one is so kind as you."
" M. de Manicamj), your servant ; I am now going to get rid
of M. Malicorne." Malicorne heaved a sigh.
•' Go, go," continued Montalais.
Manicainp went away a few stei)s, then returned to the foot
of the ladder.
'• By the way, mademoiselle,"' said he, " how can o.ie g°t to
]\:. de' Guiche's ? "
'• Ah ! yes, why, nothing easier, you follow the hedge — "
" Yes."'
" You reach the place where the paths cross — "'
" Well."'
" You come to the four paths — "
" Exactly."
" You take one — "
" Which one ? "
" The one to the right."
« The one to the right ? "
" No, to the left."
" Ah, the devil ! ''
" \o, no, wait a minute — "
"• You do not seem very sure. Think again, mademoiselle, I
entreat."'
'' The middle one.''
" There are four."
'• That is true. All that I know is that one of the foiir leads
straight to Madame's, and that one 1 know."'
THE LABYRINTH.
233
" But M. (le Giiiolie is not at Madaiiie's, is he?"
" ( "ertaiuly not."
" Tlie ono that leads to Madaine's, then, is useless to me, and
I should like to exchange it for that which goes to M. de
(iuiche's."'
•■ \'es, assuredly. 1 know that one too ; but as to indi(;ating
it fnjni liei-e, it is impossible."
" Well, mademoiselle, suppose that I have found that fortu-
nate path."
" In that case you are at your journey's end."
*• Very good."
*• Ves, you have only to cross the labyrinth."
'• ( »idy that •.' The dent e ! There i.s a labyrinth, then ? "
'■<'oiiiplicated enough, too ; even in the daytime one some-
times is deceived; there are turnings and windings without
t'lid; m the tirst place you must take three turns to the right,
then two to the left, then one— is it one or two'.' Wait a
moment! Well, on leaving the labyrinth you find an avenue
(it sycamores, and this leads straight to the" jiavilion in which,
M. de Guiche has his rooms."
•• -Mademoiselle," said Manicamp, " that is an admirable
explanation, and I have not the slightest doubt but that
i; aided by it I should lose myself at once. Consequently 1
have a slight favor to ask of you."
" What is it ? "
'• That you will offer me your arm, and guide me yourself
like another — like another — I know my mythology, mademoi-
si>lle, but important events have made me forget" it. Come
then, I beg of you." '
" And I," cried Malicorne, " am to be abandoned, then ? "
" Why, monsieur, it is impossible ! " said Montalais to Mani-
<:nnp ; " I might be seen with you at such an hour, and imagine
what would be said of me."
'• Vour own conscience would acquit you, mademoiselle,"
said Manicamp, sententiously.
'• Impossible, monsieur, impossible ! "
•• In that case let me help Malicorne to de.scend ; he is a
very intelligent fellow, and has a keen scent; he will guide me,
mid if we are lost, we will both be lost and will save each
ntlier. If we are met, two of us will look ;is though we had a
matter of business^ on hand, while alone I should look either
Come, Malicorne, here is the ladder."
'ihi
m
J h
S':\
like a lover or a robber.
ir q i
2&4
THE VirOMTE DE lillAai:: OSSE.
2*4 ,
101
III
<'M. Malicorne," cried Montalais, "I foibi 1 you to leave
your tree, under pain of my anger."
iMalicorne had already stretched one of his Ic-s towards the
top of the wall, and was sadly drawing it back, when JNlaui-
canip said in a low tone :
" Hush ! "
"What is it ? "' said Montalais.
" 1 hear stejjs."
" Oh, heavens I "'
In fact the susuected steps became a real noise, the foliage
parted, and Saint- Aignan aiipeared, with smiling eyes and
hand upraised, surprising every one in the various positions:
Malicorne on his tree, his neck stretched out ; Montalais on
her ladder, clinging to its rounds; Manicamp on the grouiul,
his toot advanced ready to set out.
'•(rood evening, Maiucanii)," said the count, " welco e, my
friend: we missed you this evening, and everyone asked for
you, .Mademoiselle'de Montalais, your — very humble ser-
vant:"
Montalais blushed.
" Great goodness ! " she stammered, hiding her face in her
hands.
" ^tademoiselle," said Saint-Aignan, " reassure yourself. I
know you are innocent, and I shall give a good accourt of you.
Manicamp, follow me. Hedge, cross-paths, and labyrinth, I
know them all ; I will be your Ariadne. There ! your mytho-
logical name is found I "'
" True, count ; 1 thank you."
" But at the same time, count," said Montalais, " take away
M. Malicorne too."
"Xo, I'l"' said Malicorne, " M. Manicamp has talked with
you as much as he pleased ; now it is my turn, if yo. please,
"mademoiselle; I have a thousand things to say to you concern-
ing our future."
"You hear," said ihe count, laughing; "stay with him,
mademoiselle. Do you not know that this is a night for
secrets ? "
And taking Manicamp"s arm, the count led him rapidly away
in the direction of the road Montalais knew so well, and had
indicated so ])oorly.
Montalais followed them with her eyes as lung as they could
be seen.
m
/low MALICOHNE HAD HEEN TURNED Ol'T. 28.T
HOW MALICORXE
CHAPTER XXXI.
HAD KKK.N ITR.VKI) OUT
OF THK BKAU I'AON.
OF THK HOTKL
"WniLF, Montalais' eyes were followiiif; the oount and Maiii-
raiiij), J\ralicorne had taken advaiitaj^e oi tlie young girl's dis-
traction to acquire a more comfortable position.
When she turned around she imniedialtdy noticed tliis
ihange of position, .\ralicorne was seated like a monkey, his
l)ack against the wall, his feet on the iirst round ot' the
ladder.
The wild vine and honeysuckle leaves crowned his head as
though he were a faun; the twisted ivy vine well represented
the cloven feet.
As for Jlontalais, there was nothing to prevent o:ic from tak-
ing her for a dryad accomplice.
•• So/" said she, ascending a round, " have you made me
wretched enough, and have you persecuted me sufficiently,
tyrant that you are '.' "'
" [,'' said Malicorne, •' I, a tyrant?''
'• Yes ; you com])romise me constantly, M. Malicorne ; you
are a monster of wickedness."
" 1 •' •'
" What have you to do at Fontainebleau ? Tell me ; is not
your home in Orleans '.' "
" What am I doing here, y(ju ask ;' Why, seeing you."'
" Truly, a necessity."
" Not for you, perhaps, mademoiselle, but certainly for me.
.V.s for my home, you well know that 1 have given it up, and
thai in future I have no other home than yours. So, your
hiime being at present at iontainebleau, to Fontainebleau I
have come."
Montalais shrugged her shoulders.
" You wished to see me, did ynu not ? "
"Certainly."
" Well, you have seen me, you are satisfied ; .so now go."
" Oh, no,'' said Malicorne.
"Why not?"
•• T did not co;ne merely to see you ; I came to talk with
you.''
m
11
286
77//? VICOMTE DE bRAGELONNE.
.,.'i,,-
m
lid
" Well, we can talk later, and in another place.'"
" Later I God alone knows if I shall meet yon later in an-
other place I We shall never find a more favoraMe one than
this."
" lint I cannot this eveninj^, or at the present moment.''
" Why not".' "
" Hecause a thousand thinj^s have ]ia|iiiened this evenin,!:;."
" Well, then, my affair will make a thousand and one."'
"No, no; Mademoiselle de Tonnay-ClKuente is waiting' for
me in our room for a communication of the greatest impor-
tance."
" Has she been waiting long ?''
" For an hour at least."
" Then," said Malicorue, calmly, " she can wait a few minutes
longer."
" M. Malicorne," said Montalais, " you forget yourself.''
" You mean that you forget me, mademoiselle, and that I am
growing imi)atient at tiie role you are making me i)iay here.
By heaven, mademoiselle, for a week past I have been jirowl-
ing about among you all, without your having once deigned to
see where I was.''
" You have been prowling about here ft^r a week '! "
" Like a wolf. Scorched by the fireworks, whiidi have singed
two of my wig.s, drencdied in the osiers by the evening damp-
ness or the sjtray from the fountains, always hungry, always
tired to death, with the prospect of a wall, or the nei'essity of
perhaps scaling it. Zounds I that is no fate, mademoiselle,
for one who is neither a squirrel nor a salamander nor
an otter ; and since you push inhumanity to the point of wish-
ing me to 1 "ounce my condition of a man. I declare that 1 am
a man, by all that's holy, and a man I shall remain, unless by
superior orders."
" Well, come, what do you wish, what do you desire, what
do you demand ? " said Montalais, submissively.
" Are you going to tell me that you did not know I was at
Fontainebleau '.' "'
" Be honest."
" I suspected it."
" Well, dui-mg the week could you not have seen me at least
once a day ? "
"I was always prevented, M. Malicorue."
HOW MALirORNE HAD BEEN TCRNED OUT. 237
" FMd.llesticks ! "
•■ Ask my ^i''' iiii?iH]s, if you do not believe ine."
■• I never ;i«k ;ui explanation for a thinj^ I know better than
any one else."
■• (\ilm yourself, M. Malicorne, that will change."
■' It must."'
" You know that whether you are seen or not I am think-
in;^ of you,'' said Montalais, with her coaxing tone.
" Oh, you think of me — "
" On my word of honor."
" And nothing new ? "
" About what ? "
" About my post in Monsieur's household."
" Ah, my (lear M. Malicorne, no one has approached his royal
lli<^hness during the ^last few days."
" .Vud now ? ■'
" Now it is a different thing ; since yesterday. He has not
been jealous since yesterday."
" l^ah I and how did he get over his jealousy ? "
" He had a diversion."'
" Tell me about it."
" A report was spread that the King had noticed another
woman, and Mcmsienr became calm at once."
■ Who sj)read the report? "
Montalais lowered her voice.
'■ Between ourselves," said she, " I think that Madame and
the King came to an understanding."
"Ah," said Malicorne, " chat was the only way to do it; but
-M. de Guiche, poor fellow I ''
" Oh, he is completely ousted."
" Have they written to each other ? "
" ( )f course not ! I have not seen either one of them with
a pen for eight days.''
" How are you with Madame ? "
" On the best of terms."
"And with the King?"
" The King smiles at me when I pass."
"(JoodI Now what woman have the two lovers chosen to
serve as their screen ? "
" La Valliere."
'• Oh. ])oor girl ! But that must be prevented, my dear."
"Why?"
238
THE yjCOMTE I)/-: liliAdELUMNE.
•11
■
u
" Because if M. Raoul do Hragelonne were to suspet't it he
would kill either her or himself.''
'• Haoul ! That good Kaoul ! Do you think so ?"'
" Women jji-eteiid to understand passion,"" said Malicorne,
" and women do not even know how to read their own thoughts
or their own hearts. Well, I tell you that M. de Hragelonne
loves La Valliere to such a degree tliat if she deceived him he
would kill either her or him.self.'"
" The King is there to defend her," said Montalais.
" The King ! '" exclaimed Malicorne.
" Yes."
" Well, Raoul would kill tlie King as he would a Dutch
dragoon."
"(rood griw;ious ! " said >[ontalais, -why, you are mad, .M.
M<ilicorne ! "'
"On the contrary, everything I am saying is .seri(ms, my
dear; and moreover, I know one thing."
" What is that ? "
"That I shall warn Kaoul quietly of the trick."
" Hush, you wretched man I " said Montalais, ascending an-
other round of the ladder so as to approach Malicorne more
closely. " Do not open your lips to this poor Hragelonne."
" Why not ■.' "
" Hecause as yet you know nothing."'
" What is the rest, then '.' "
" Well, this evening — is any one listening?"'
" No."'
"This evening under the royal oak La Valliere said aloud
and quite innocently tliese words : ' I cannot imagine that after
having seen the King one can ever love any one else.'"
Malicorne gave a start.
" (Jood (iodi"' said he, '-she said that? Wretched girl!"'
"Word fo- -vord."
" And she really thinks it ?"
"La Valliere always thinks what she says.""
"That cries for vengeance I ^Vhy, women are serpents I '"
said Malicorne.
" Calm yourself, my dear Malicorne."'
" No. Let us cut the evil at its root. Let us war > Kaoul ;
there is still time."'
" Bungler I On the contrary, there is not time," replied
Montalais.
IfOW MM.Konsi: iiM, lii-ES T I USED OUT.
239
" Why not '.' "
" La V'allit're's remark — "
" Yes '.' "
" Her speech about the King "
'• Well •/ "
'■ Well, it reached liiin."
" The Kiiif,' knows it •.' It was told him ? "
'•The Kin;,' overheard it."
'• Ohime. .' as M. le Cardinal used to say."
"The King was hidden in a clump of bu.shes behind the
royal oak. '
'•Theresidt is." said Malicorne, "that after this the phui
ot the Km^' and ^ridame will run on wheels, passin-' over the
iKidy of poor Hragelonne." °
" True."
'■ It is frightful ;•■
'• Exactly."
'• Well " said Malicorne, after a moment of silent meditation
'•do not let us interpose our persons between a thick oak ami
.1 K'l-t'at King. We should be crushed, my dear."
" That is what I meant to tell you."
'■ Let us think of ourselves."
'■ That was my own idea."'
•• Open your beautiful eyes, then."
'■ And you your big ears."
'■ liaise your little mouth for a good-sized kiss."
'• Here !" said Montalais, who paid at once in ringing coin
•• \ow let us see. ilere is y\. de Guiche, who loves Madame.
Ihere La Vaihere, who loves the King. Here the King, who
■ Dves .Madame and La Valliere. There Monsieur, who loves
ii'> one but himself. Amongst ail these loves an imbecile
would make liis fortune. All the more for sensible people like
iMirsclves to do so.'"
•• There you are again with your dreams."'
'• Vou mean with my realities. Let yourself be led by me
my hn-e ; you have not be^n so badly otf up to now, have you ? ''
"No."'
" Well, the future will not fall short of the past Only
Muce every one here is thinking of himself, let us do the same."'
■• That is only right."
'• Just of ourselves alone."
" Yes."
240
7///-; vicoMTE i)K iuiaceijism:.
m
nil
iMi
" An ofTi'iisivf ;uiil dcft'iisivc iilliiUKu^ ! "
" I am icadv ti> swear to it.''
" (Jivf lu." your liaiid. That's il! All 1'<m- Malicorne."
" All for Malii'onu' ! "'
" All lor Moiitalais : ■■ i-fplicil Maliconi.. cxtciidiii- his haii.l
in tuiii.
" Now wliiit must we do '.' "
'• K('('[) fvi'S and ears ojmmi. ( 'olli'ct weapons aj,'aiiist others.
Never lot any lie ai>oiit, which might he used a,L,'ainst our-
selves."
" A^Mced.'"
" Settled."
" Sworn to ! And now that the eumpaet is si-,'ned, ,i,'ood-hye.
" Gooil-hye'.' "
" Certainly. Iteturn to your inn."
" To my inn / "
" Yes. " Are you not lodging in the inn of the Beau I'aon '."'
" Montalaisi'Montalais! You see you knew very well tliat
I was in Foutainehleau."
" What does that prove excejit that I tjiought abimt you
more than you deserve, ungrateful wretch'.' "
" Humph ! "
'' So go baek to tlit^ Beau I'aon.''
«' Well, that's ju.st it!"
" What ':' "
'' That is impossible."'
" Did you not have a room there '.' "
" Yes ; but I no longer have one."
" You no longer have one '.' Who took it away ? "
" .\ little while ago I was returning from running after you,
and reached my hoiel out of breath, when 1^ saw four peasants
carrying a litter on which lay a sick monk."
•• A monk ".' "
" Yes ; an old gray-bearded Franciscan. As I was looking
at him they entered the inn. 1 followed as they mounted tin
stairs, and when 1 reached the top I saw that they were taking
him into my room."
'* Into your room ? "
" Yes, "into my room. I thought it must be a mistake, so I
called the host, "who told me that the room had been rented to
me for eight ilays and was rented to the Franciscan for the
ninth."
II
//"][■ MM.K'onxE uAi> ni:i.:.\ ti hm:u oit. 241
-oii:"
••riiiit "s justwliat I said. 1 did t'wn morfi. I almost ^tpw
aii-n-. I wi^nt, iiptlic stairs a.Lrain. I spoko to tho iManriscan
luiiiselt'. J tried tocoiiviiiro liiiiiof tlic iiiiiiropricty of Ids pro-
itt'diiiL,'. l)iit tlic monk, dyiii;,' as lio scemod, raised" liims.dl' on
Ills .di)(,u-. fixed oil 111.' two Maziii- eyes and, in a voi<'e wliich
wnidd adniiralily have eoinniatided 'a ,.;.v:ili-v cliiiri^c, said:
• Throw this rascal (int of f!ie door.* 'I'liis w;is ii.stanllv ilone
liy llie host and the fonr iiorters, who [^^T^•v^\ me tn ilesieiid the
stairs somewhat more speedily tlian was a;,'reeal>l(>. That is
lii>w it happens, my dear, that I have no shtdter."
'• i'.ut who is this Francisean ■.'"■ <Ienian(h'd Montalais. -'Is
lie a fjeneral ;' "
•'That was the very title I thoii^dit was ^'iven him by one of
the porters, who spoke in a low tone."
•• Si) that — ■' said Montalais.
•• St. that I have no room, no inn, no shelter. An<l I am a.s
lieterinined as my friend Manieamp was just now not to sleep
out of doors."
" What is to be done '/ " eried Moiitalais.
" That 's just it ! " said :\ralieorne.
'• Nothing easier! " said a third voice.
-Moiitalais and Malieorne uttered a simultaneous cry.
Saint-Ai<,'nan appeared.
" Dear M. Malicorne,*' said he, " a fortunate accident brings
•lie back to extricate you from your jilight. I can offer vou"a
loom with me, ami that I proiiuse you no Franciscan can' take
iiway. As to you, my dear mademoiselle, rest easy. I already
know Mademoiselle de la Valliere's secret and that of Alacieni-
oiselle de Tonnay-Charcnte. Vou have just had the kind-
ness to confide yours to me, for which I thank you. I can keej)
thiee quite as well as one.''
•Malicorne and Montalais looked at each other like two
s'holars caught robbing an orchard; but as -Malicorne saw a
K'lcat advantage in the proposition just made him he gave
Miintalais ,, resigned nod, which she returned.
Then Malicorne descended the ladder round by round, re-
n'''tiiig at every ste]) on the means of obtaining bit by bit from
■"^aint-Aignan how much ho knew about the talked-of secret.
Montalais had already darted away like a liind, and neither
floss-road iior labyrinth could lead her astray.
As for Saint-Aignan, he carried Malicorne away to his rooms
24:
THE VICOMTE l)i: HRAGIlLONSi:.
I'
t
'^a-'--^_
,111(1 paid liiin a thniisaiid a*teiiti(»iis. Piichanted as lio was to
have in hand the two men wlio — suin)<)siii^,' tliat l)e (iiiirlie
riMiiained silent — could hest inform him as to the niaiils uf
honor.
CHAl'TF.R XXX II.
WHAT AdlALLY IIAITENED IN THK INN OK TlIK HEAI" I'AON.
In the first place let ns <^ive our reader some details al)out
the inn of the I'eau I'aon ; we will tlien pass on to ;i descrip-
tion of the travfdlers hxh^inj,' therein.
The in:i of tiie l'>eau I'aon. like every other inn, owed its
name to its f'ij,'n. This sij,M) represented a jieacock spreading,'
its tail. Hui in imitation of certain painters who j,Mve the
faee of a handsome hoy to the serpent who temjited Eve,
the sign painters had given to the ])eacock the face of a
woman.
This inn, an epigram against that half of the human race
which makes life delightful, as M. Legouve says, was situated
at Fontainebleau in the first side street to the left which,
coining from I'aris, divides the great artery that in itself
coiuititates the entire town of Fontainebleau. The side street
w;ls then called the Rue de Lyon, no doubt because geographi-
cally it led in the direction of the second capitol of the
kingdom.
On the street were two buildings occupied by tradespeople,
ami separated from each other by large gardens bordered with
hedges.
Apparently, liowever, there were three buildings in the
street. Let us explain how, in spite of appearances, there were
but two.
The inn of the Be.au Paon had its principal front on the
highway, but on the Rue de Lyon there were two buildings di-
vided by courtyards, including lodges suitable for receiving
travellers either on foot or horseback, or even in carriages ; and
for supplying injt only lodgings and board, but accommodations
for exercise and opportunities of solitude for the wealthiest
courtiers, when after some snub at court they desired to shut
themselves up alone to swallow the affront or plan revenge.
II/MT .irTl-ALLY HAPPEN III) IX IIIK l.\S.
-•43
iS
hn,n tl.o w.mlows r.f this part cf tho h„il,;i„^j tnuHlors
-ul.l M... first the street with its,- s Kn-w.nK Letweeu the
Hv.'.n..„t,s. wh..h .t -,v,vs ,M.uh.ail, ,Mrm« .,,art; then the
"•^"itihil he.lKos ..t ehier iin.l hiuvthon. vhieh e.nl.raee.l as
iM.tu-e.Mi twoKreen th.uvry areas the tra.ie.si.en|,le"s houses to
|vl..cl. we have reterre.l ; li,.ally in the spa'ee between these
louses, foruHMK the Kn..m.lw,.rk of the putme and stamlin«
Ike an impassanle harrier, a thick line ,.t trees with .h-n'se
oli.i-e,a.lvanee sentinels of the vast forest which extcn.Is in
rroiit (it l'(>ntaineiileau.
< •".■ .•.,ul,l, therefore, by havin- a corner apartment, both see
ana hear the ,.assers.by, an.l the fetes on the hi^hwav fn.n,
I .ms an.l eouhl also get a KHn.pse of the quiet oountrv^bv the
l'"<; 'le Lyon. I his .li,l not consider that in cases of nece'ssitv
■;; '1"' "lon.ent any one knock.-,l at the .loor of the Jiue ,le
I ans, one eouhl ceape by the little door on the Hue <le Lyon.
:nid from^ alonj; by the gardens of the tradespeople's houses
L:ani the outskirts of the forest.
.Malic..rne, who it will be remembered was the first to speak
"• us ot this mn ot the I5eau I'a.m, while deph.riui,- his expul-
sion here rom, absorbed in his own atfaus/dnl not begin to
tell Montalais all that there was to be told about this curious
We shall therefore try to rectify tliis omission
I' or instance, Malicorne had neglected to say how he had
entered the i„n of the Beau I'aon. Besides, with'^t.he excIptLn
"t the l«ranciscan whom he had mentioned, he had said
nothing of the travellers who were lodging there
l.e manner in which they had entere.l, the way they lived,
la l.thculty any but privileged travellers had in entering the
hotel without a password and in remaining there without having
aken certain precautions, must certainly have struck and, we
\enture to say, did strike Malicorne.
H-it as we have already said, Malicorne was so taken up with
i'' isonal allairs as to notice nothing else.
In tact, all of the apartments of the inn of the Beau Paon
e secured and retained by foreigners who seldom went out,
>e of quaint ( emeanor, bore thoughtful faces, and who were
■III strangers to Malicorne.
„;ii','^^'f *Tf' T ^^'^ ^'"^'^'^ ^t *h« hotel after his own
tH.t had set Mahcorue to thinking ; but he was soon informed
|!i,i-.
244
Tin-: VICOMTE DH BRAGELONME.
i::/: '-
^."''
f
that the host cxi)laine(l tliis sort of siirveiUaiK'c by .saying; that
tho town, full as it was of rich lords, nuist also be lull of
clover and aciivc ]ii(kpockets.
It was necessary, therefore, for the reimtation ui' an honest
house like the lieau I'aoii to sec, ire its lodgers against rolv
bcry.
Malicorne occasionally asked hiniself while he was luinking
nuitlers over in his own iiiind, and retfectiug u|ion his position
in the I>ean Paon, wliy he had been allowed to enter, when
since his arrival lie had seen admission refused to so many
others.
He asked himself also why when ..lanicaiiiii, who in his
opinion was a lord, resjietted by every one, wisl ed to juit up
his horse at the I'.eau i'atju, both horse and rider had been dis-
missed with a most positive AVnc/d I'o.i.
ll was, therefore, for >Malicorne a prolilein whicli, occujiied
as he was with the ofiices of love and ambition, iie had not
tried to solve. Had he wished to do so we should, in spite
of the intelligence we hav^i attributed to him, hardly dare to
say lie would have suct'eeded.
A few words will prove to the reader 'Jiat no one but
(Edipus himself could solve uicli a ju'oblem.
During eight days seven travellers had eiitered the inn, all
having arrived the day after the fortunate one on which Alali-
corne had fixed his choice on the l>eau I'aon.
These seven persons, who came with suitable retinues, were:
A brigadier in the German army, his .secretary, his i)hysi-
cian, three .servants, seven horses. This brigaditu' was the
liaron von. Wostpui.
A Spanish cardinal with two nephews, two secretaries, an
officer of his household, and twelve horses. The cardinal's
name was M(jnseigneur Herrebia.
A wealthy merchant of Bremen with his servant and two
horses. This merchant was called Meiiiheer H.)i:-:.ett.
A Venetian senator, with his wife and daughter, both
very beautiful. They addressed this senator as 11 Signor
Marini.
A Scotch laird by the name of MacCumnor, with seven
Highlander,-, of his clan, all on foot.
An Austrian fiom Vienna witlnmt title or coat-of-anns, who
arrived in his carriage. He had a good deal in him of the
priest, a little of the soldier, and was ealle*! •' couuciDor."
i4
WHAT ACTr.iLLY HAPPENED ly THE IXy. 245
Finally a Flemish la.ly with a lackov. a ladv's mai.l, and a
-Lil'.-iinon, a great train <,f servants, great^ .lisi.iav. -reat
.'imiKiges. She was called " the Flemish ladv " " "
All these travellers had arrived the samedav, as «e have
suil; yet their arrival caused no confusion in the inn no
.n.wdingin the street; their rooms had been secured in' ad-
vance by their couriers or secretaries, ^vho had arrived the
evening l)etore or that very morning.
Malicorne, who had come the previous dav, ri.ling a poor
horse au.l carrying a slender bag, had announce.l to the
host that he was the friend of a nobleman who was in-
leiested in seeing the fetes, and who wa. to arrive almost im-
mediately.
At these words the landlord ha.l smiled as if he were well ac-
M" nnted with either Malicorne or his friend, the nobleman,
a>id had said t<. hnn, " Monsieur, choose whatever room suits
vo.i, since you are the first comer." All this -vitli that si-niifi-
<ant ooseqmousness of innkeepers which means ■ " Be easv
.nous.eur ; we know with who-n we have to deal, and you will
1«' treated accordingly."
These words and the gesture which accompanied them had
seemed to Malicnrne friendly, but somewhat obscure. Since he
did not wish to be put to great e.xpense, and since if he had
asked for a small room he would no doubt have been refused
on account of his lack of importance, he hastened to make the
most of the innkeeper's words, and so to deceive him by his
own cleverness. '
Thereff^-e, smiling like a nan for whom people always do
exactly what they should, he said : ^
" Mine host, I will take the best and most cheerful room you
Have. •'
" With a stable ? "
'• With a stable."
'• For wliat day ? "
" At once, if that is possible."
" ^'^'^■'y good."
'•Only," added Tfalicorne, hastily, " I shall not occupy the
ii ^'e room at once. ^ ^
" (nM)d ! " said the host, with a knowing look
'•Certain reasons which you will understand later force me
to take the small room at my own expense."
" les, yes," said the host.
lar;
11 ■fir wim.
."■ 1',"
240
11! E VlCoMl'i: ])K BRAdKLoSSK.
Ti-
n
" My fiii ml. when lie iin-ivcs, will ocpuiiy the hirge aj)art
ment. ;ih(l natunillv, as it will be his, he will settle lor it him-
self."
" Very f,'()0(l," said the host; "that was uuderslootl."
" Was understood ? ''
" Word tor word."'
"That's extraordinary,'" m.irnuired Malieorne. "So you
understand '.' '"
" Yes."'
" That is all that is neeessary. Now that you understand —
for you do, don't y(ju '.' "'
"'perfectly.'"
" Well, show me to my room.''
The landlord of the Heau I'aon, cap in hand, preceded Mali-
corne.
Malicorne installed himself iu his room and was greatly
SIP prised to see the host every time he came u]) or went down
give him one of those winks which iii-Jicate i)erfect understand-
ing between two jieople.
"There is some mistake here," said Malicorne to himself,
" but until it is cleared up the best 1 can do is to take advan-
tage of it."
And he darted from his room like a hunting dog, scenting
news and court gossip, getting himself burned here and
drenched there, as he had said to Mademoiselle de Montalais.
The day after liis installation he had seen the seven trav-
ellers arrive one after the other, filling the whoh' of the inn.
At sight of all those people, all those equipages, all that
retinue, Malicorne rubbed his hands, thinking that, one day
later, he would have found no bed on which to rest on his return
from his exi)lorations.
After all the strangers were installed the liost entered his
room and with his customary graciousness said, " My dear
monsieur, the large room on the third tioor is still left for you,
you know '.' "'
" Certainly I know it."'
" And 1 am making vc»u a veritable present."'
"Thanks."'
" So that when your friend arrives — "
" Well '.' "
" Well, he will be pleased with me ; unless he i.s hard to
please."
WHAT ACTUALLY IIAPPEMW IN THE ISN. 247
" Par'lon me. Will you permit me to say a few words about
my friead ? "
•• < "ertamly ; you are surely the master."'
" He was to have come, a.s you know — "
'• And he is still coming."
" He may have changed his mind."
" No."
" Yd ^ ? sure ? "
"S.-d."
" Because in case you have any doubt — "
" Well ? "
" I want to say that I cannot guarantee his co-ning "
" But he told you — "
'• Certainly he told me. But you know, ' Man proposes and
(Jod disposes ' ' Verba volant, srripta maiu-nf.' "
" Which means ? "
" That words fly away, but writing remains. And as he did
not write to me, but mcrejy spoke, 1 authorize vou, but do not
ask you — ycni see it 's rather embarras.sing ""'
'• What do you authorize me to do '.' "'
" The deuce !— to rent his apartment if you find a good
tenant."'
U J <! >'
" Yes, you."
" Xever, monsieur, never would I do such a thing. He may
not have written to vou — "
'• :io."
" Bui he wrote to me."
'<.\h!"
" Yes."
" In what terras ? Let us see if his letter ac. ords with what
lif said to me."
" These are almost his words :
'*' To the Landlord of the Inn of the Ihnu Paon :
" • You have 2^rohahly been informed of the meeting to be held
'» i/onr inn by some people of importanee. I shall be amo>n/
f/iose who or,- to meet at Fontainebleau. Keep a small room
j»r a fr' :.</ ho will arrive either before or after me '
" You are this friend, are you not ? "' said the landlord, inter-
rupting his reading.
Malicorne bowed modestly.
U8
THE VICOMTE DE liRAdELONNE.
Ill
mn'
1 1.
The landlord went on :
" ' — (ind a Iniuje a jiart nwut for myself. The latter is my own
riffdir; hut I desire the price of the small room to he moderate,
as it is intended for « poor devil ! '
" That is still you. is it not ? " said the host.
" Yes, certain]}',"' said Malieorne.
" Then we agree ; your triend will settle for his room and
you for yours."
" May I be broken alive on the wheel,'' said Malicorne to
himself, " if I understand anything at all of this ! "'
Then aloud :
" Hut tell me, were you satisfied with the name ? "'
" What name ? "'
"The name at tlie end of tho letter. Does it guarantee
everything ? '"
" I was going to a.sk yon,'" said the landlorc'..
" What I was not the letter signed ? "'
" Xo," said the landlord, opening hi.s eyes, full of mystery
and curiosity.
" In that case," saiil Malicorne, imitating the gesture and
mvsterious look, " if it was not signed — "
'" Well ? •'
" You understand that he must have had his reasons for
that ? '"
" No doubt."
" And that I as his friend, his confidant, could not betray
his incognito."'
" That is trve, monsieur," replied the host, " nor shall I
insist on yiur doing so."
" I appreciate your delicacy. As for me, as my friend says,
my room is separate. Let us understand that."
" Monsiein-, it is understood."
"Good accounts, von know, make good friends. So let us
settle."
" There is no hurry."
" Nevertheless, let nr- settle the bill. Iloom, board for my-
self and horse. How much per day ?"
"F'Uir livres, monsieur,"
"That makes twelve livres for the three last days ?"
«' Twelve livres, monsieur."
" Here thev are."
nil AT ACTCALLY HAPI'/JXEI) f\ THE /.V.V. l'40
'i
'• Mill, mons-cur, of wliat use to scttlo at once'/''
" l^eciiuse," said Malicoriie, lowpriui,' his voice, and rpsiiiniug
Ills iiiysterioiis air, as lie saw it liad been suwessful ; " bocau.se
if I should have lo leave suddeiily, to decamp at any moment,
my bill w^iild be paid."'
" You are right, monsieur."
'• So 1 may feel at home ? "
" Certainly."'
'• Very pood. Adieu."'
The landlord withdrew.
Left alone, Malicorne rea.soned as follows :
•• Xo one but M. de Guiche or Mauicanip could have written
t(i the landlord — M. de (Juichc because he wanted a bulging
"iitside of the court, in case of success or failure; Manieamp
lit'.'ause he may have been entrusted with that commission by
M. de (iuiche.
•• This is how M. de Guiche or Manieamp must have argued :
'1 he large apartment, in which to receive in a suitable fashion
a huly thickly veiled, reserving to the aforesaid lady a double
exit on the almost deserted street ending at the forest.
" The small room could be used for tlie time being to hide
.Manieamp, M. de Guiche's confiiiant and vigilant doorkeeper,
11! M. de Guiche himself, playing at the same time for greater
.Mitety, the role of master and that of confidant.
" ]5ucthis meeting which was to take place, which in fact has
taken [ilace in tiie hotel '.' They are no doubt j>eople who
art' to be presented to the King.
• 15iit the poor devil for whom the room is intended / A
nise in order the better to hide De Guiche or Mar.icai-ip.
•• Jf it be so, as is probable, there is only half the mischief
'i me, and between Manieamp and Malicorne there is nothing
I'ut a purse."'
.Viter this reasoning Malicorne had slept soundly, leaving
th" seven foreigners to occupy and to walk up and down, in
•very sense of the word, the seven rooms in the inn of the
iJeau Paon.
When nothing trouble>l him at court, when he was tired
fium excursions and investigations, or wear\ from writing
notes which he never found an ojiportunity of delivaring to
tlieir address, he returned to his comfortable little r<iom,'and
!''.uiing on the balcony, which was brightened by nasturtiums
and white pinks, began to think over the strange travellers for
f:
2r)0
77//; VIcoMTi: ]>/■: Hlt.\r,ELOSSK.
m\\\
iifii
whom Fontaiiielileaii .sfcined to liavo no lights, no aniiiseineiits,
no ft'tcs.
Thing's lasti'd tliiis until the seventh day, a ilay of which, ns
ot the ni^dit, wc- ]i;ivo given Uio t'liU details in the {necediiig
chapter.
That night at about one o'clock Malicorne was taking
the fresh air at his window, when Manicaniii '".piieared on
horseback, his head in tiie air, with thoughtful and A-eary
look.
" (Jood I " sai<l Malicorne to himself, recognizing Idiu at first
glance, " there is my man, who has C(»me to tlie possession of
his room, that is, my room."
And lie called lo ]\lanicanii».
The latter raised his head and recognized iMalicorne.
" (Jad I ■" said the former, his face clearing; "welcome,
Malicorne I I have been riding through Fontainelileau seek-
ing three things which 1 cannot tind — De (Juiche, a room, and
a stable."
" As for M. de Guiche, I can give yon neither good nor bad
news, since I have not seen him ; but as for a room and a stable,
that is another thing.''
" Ah ! "
"Yes, they have been reserved here."
" He.ser\ed '.• And by whom?"
" liy you, api»arently."
" By lue '.' "
" Did you not engage lodgings Iiere?"
" By no means.''
Just then the landlord appeared on the tlireshold.
" Have you a room ".' '' demanded Manicamp.
" Did you engage one, mou jieur ? ''
" No.''
" Then there is none."
" If that is the case I did engage one,'' said Manicamp.
'' A room or hnlgings ? ''
"Anything you please."
" By letter?" asked the host.
Malicorne nodded affiruu.,.!"^ y to Manicam,
"Certainly by letter," said >'^anicamp. "Did you not re-
ceive one from me ? "
" Dated when ? "' asked the host, in wlion\ Manicarap's hesi-
tation had aroused suspicion.
WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPESEl) IW THE ISX. 2ol
Manicamp rubbed his ear and looked at Malicorne's win-
dow ; but Malicorne had gone and was descending,' the stairs to
■■o:ne to the aid of his friend.
Just at that moment a traveller wra[)ped in a long Sjjanish
(■ai>e appeared on the {torch within hearing of the conversation.
'•I asked you when you wrote the letter to engage lodgings
liere," repeated the host, insistently.
" La.st Wednesday," said the mysterious stranger in a soft,
[lolished voice, touching the landlord on the shoidder.
Manicamp drew back, and Malicornc \n turn, who had
appeared on the threshold, scratciied his ear. The landlord
saluted the newcomer I'ke a man who recognizes his true
li II Igor.
•• Monsieur," said he, civilly, "your apartment is waiting for
you as well as your stables. Only — "
He looked around.
'• V(nu' horses ? " he asked.
" My horses may or may not arrive. It makes but little
(litfereuce to you, probably, provided you are paid for what you
liave reserved."
The landlord bowed still lower.
" Vou have besides," continued the unknown traveller, " kept
the little room which I engaged ? "
" Oh ! "■ aid Malicorne, trying to hide.
" Vour friend has occu[)ied it for the last week," said the
landlord, pointing to Malicorne, who was making himself as
small as possible.
The traveller drew his cloak across the lower jtart of his
face and threw a hasty glance at Malicorne.
" Monsieur is no friend of mine," said he.
The host gave a start.
" I do not know the gentleman," continued the traveller.
"What!" cried the innkeeper, •iirning to Malicorne, "you
arc not monsieur's friend?"
" \Vhat does it matter, provided you are paid '.' " said Mali-
corne, majestically parodying the stranger.
" It matters so much," said the host, who was beginning to
SCO that one person had been mistaken for another, " that 1 beg
V'lu, monsieur, to vacate the rooms engaged in advaiu^e by
some one else."
•• Hut," said Malicorne, " monsieur does m i need buuh a room
on the first Hoor and an apartment on the second ; if monsieur
f?.
P
^^K*''
"y
rilE VICOMTE in: HHAdELOSNE.
a¥^
1
wants the room I will take 1 lie apartment ; if monsieur chooses
the apaitnitMit I will keep the room."
" I am distressed, monsieur,'' said the traveller in his soti
voice, " hut I need both the room and the apartment."
" IJiit lor whom '.' " tlenuinded Malicorne.
" The apartment for myself."
" Well, but the room '.' '"
" I.cxik I " said the traveller, pointing to a sort of procession
which was approaching'.
Malicorne glanced in the direction indicated and saw a litter
on which lay the Franciscan, whose occupation of his room
he had described to Montalais, with details added by himself,
and whom he had in vain tried to convert to humbler views.
The result of the arrival of the unknown traveller and of
the silk Franciscan was Malicorne's unceremonio\is expulsion
from tlie inn of the ISeau I'aon by the host and the peasants
who had carried in the ...onk.
The rea('er has been matle aware of the result of this ex-
liuLsion, of the conversatior of Manicamp with Montalais ; of
the success of Manicamj), who was dcver'^r than Malicorne, in
finding news of De (Juiche. of the subsecpient conversation
between Montalais and Malicorne, and Ihially of the lodgings
furnished to Manicamp and Malicorne by the Comte de Saint-
.\ignan.
Ft remains for us to inform our readers about the trav-
eller in the cape, the chief tenant of tlie two apartments of
whi(di JIalicorne had occupied one, and the Franciscan, (piite
as mysterious, whose arrival together with thu. of the stranger
in the cloak w is >nifortnnate enough to upset the plans of the
two frieu('s.
CHAPTER XXXIII,
A JESUIT OF THE ELEVENTH VEAK.
In the tirst place, not to weary the rerder, we will hasten to
answer the first question. The traveller with the cloak held
over his face was Aramis, who after he had left l\mquet, and
taken from a portmanteau opened by his lackey a cavalier's
'•umplete costume, left the chateau .and went to the inn of the
ileau Paou, where by letter, seven days before, he had, as the
A JEsriT OF Tin: i:li:ve\tii yi:ar.
host, liad said, t-iiKaged a r(M)iti and an apai-tinent. On tlie
.xiiiilsion of Mali<!ornp and Manicanip, Araniis approached
til.' Fianci.scan and asked him wliich he preferred, tlso room
d tlie apartment. The monk asked where e;u'li was situated.
lie was toM that the room was on the iirst floor and tli«
apartment on the second.
•• Tlie nxjm, then,' said he.
.\ ram is did not insist, but with perfect submission said to
the landh)rd :
'• Tiie room."
And bowing respectfully, he withdrew to the .apartment.
The monk was at once carried to the room, ^■ow is it not
rcmarkal)le, this respect of a prelate for a simple ,nonk, and
111 a monk of a mendicant order, to whom was given up, with-
"iit his even asking for it, a room which sj many travellers had
wanted ?
How, too, can we explain the unexpected arrival of Aramis at
' iic inn of the Beau I'aon,— he who had entered the chritean with
M. F(iu(piet, and wlio could have remained there with him '.'
The monk bore the moving up the stairs without uttering a
'ompiaint, although it was evident that his suffering was great,
and that each time the litter hit the wall or the railing of the
staircase his whole body felt a terrible shock. Finally, when
iu' arrived in the room :
" Help me to place myself in that armchair," said he to the
|"'rters.
i'hey placed the litter on the ground, an.l raising the sick
man as gently as possible, carried liim to the armchair he had
indicated, and whi(di stood at the head of the bed.
" Now," he added, with a marked gentleness of word and
gesture, >• send the landlord to me."
They obeyed.
Five n.inutes later the landlord appeared at the door.
" .My friend," said the Franciscan, " dismiss these good fel-
l"ws, 1 beg of you ; they are vassals of the Vicomte de .Melun.
1 !.cy found me on the road where I had fainted from the heat,
iiiid witiiout thinking as to .vhether they wo.dd be paid for
their trouble, they wanted to carry me to their own homes.
J lit I know what the hospitality they give a sick man costs
these poor fellows, and I preferred the inn, where, for that
matter, I was expected."
Tlie landlord looked at the Franciscan in surprise.
rt '
254
77//; Viro.MTH Di: IHlAdEl.oSSi:.
iiliii
t1
Tlic l.ittcr witli his tliunil) iiiadc tlic si^'ii ot the cidns on his
breast.
The host replic'l by niakiiif^ the siiiiie sii;ii on his h'ft
shoiihler.
" Vcs, it is tnie," said lie, "you were! expected, my father;
hut Wf iiojied you wouhl arrive iu better couditiou."
And whih' tiie peasants h)oked in siuprise at tlie proud host
who had suihh'uly become respectful in the presence of thifj
poor monk, the Fianciscan drew from his Ion;; pocket two or
three j)ieces of f^old, whic h he lied up.
"There, my friends," said he, "is something,' with which to
pay you f(U' the care you f^MVe me. So be easy and do not be
afraid of Icavin;; nu' here. The Order for which I am travel-
ling does not wish me to beg; but as the attention you have
given me deserves a reward, take tliese two louis and retire in
peace."
The j)easants dared not accejit them.
The host took them from the monk's hand and put tliem into
that uf a iieasant.
The four porters retired, opening their eyes wider than ever.
The door (dosed, and while the liost stood respectfully near
it the monk collected himself for a moment. Then he pa.s.sed
his hand, which was dried up with fever, over his sallow brow,
and with his nervous, agitated fingers, rubbed his gray beard.
His large eyes, hollow from sickness and nervousness, seemed
to follow a sad, far-off idea.
"What physicians have you at Fontaiuebleau ? *' he asked
finally.
" We liave three, my father."
" What are their names '! "
" Lidniguet, first."
" Next '.' ■
" A Carmelite brother named Hubert."
" Then .' "
" Then a secular mendier by the name of Grisart."
" Ah I (Jrisartl'" murmured the monk. " Send for M. Gri-
Bart at once."
The landlord promptly started to obey.
" By the way, what priests are there at hand here ? "
" What priests '.' "
" Yes ; of what orders ? "
" There are Jesuits, Augustines, and Cordeliers ; but, my
A .ir.sriT or riii: ei.ia emu yhau.
fatlicr, ili(« Jesuits are tlio iiciiifst at liaiid. F will sfml f..r a
■ li'siiit courcssor ; .shall I'.''"
•• Vfs."
I'lic lid.st departed.
From the sif,'ri exchan^'ed between tliem it will he guessed
that the host and the sick man had recn^Miizcd ea<h other as
two afliliated members of the redouhtahle Sin-ietv ot .lesiis.
Lett alone, the Franciscan drew from his pocket a liiindle of
jiapers. someof which In; ran over with scrupnlons attention.
However, the pain from his illness overcame his stren^;th ; his
eves rolled, a cold sweat poured down liis face, he almost
fainted ; his head fell hack, while his arms \\\\n^ d<.wn on both
sides of liis chair.
For live minutes he lay without moving, when the landlord
entered, bringm-,' in the physician, wliom he sca:coly had
allowed time to lii'ess.
The noise of their entrance, the current of air occasioned by
the opening; of the door, rest(u-ed the sick man to conscious-
ness. He hastily seized hi.s .scattered paper.s, and with his
loiif,', bony hand hid them under the cusldons of the armchair.
The landlord withdrew, leaving the patient and the doctor
together.
•'Come," said the monk to the doctor, '• come, M. (Jrisart,
apjuoach, for there is no time to be lost; touch, feel, consider',
and pronounce your verdict."
•• Our landlord," replied the physician, -has told me that I
was to have the pleasure of giving my services to an affiliated
brother.'"
" Ves,'" replied the Franciscan, " tell me the truth; I feel
very ill; it seems to me as if [ were going to die."'
The doctor took the monk's hand and felt his pul.se.
" Oh," said he, " a dangerous fever.'"
"Do you call a fever dangerous?" asked the patient, with
an imperious look.
" To an afliliated mend)er of the first or the second vear.''
ifplied the physician, looking inquiringly at the monk, •• I s"^hould
say, a fever that may be cured."
'• Hut to me '.' " said the monk.
The physician hesitated.
'■ ^/^^'^ at my gray hair and my forehead lined with care,"' he
lontinued; " look at the wrinkles by which I count mv trials ;
I am a desuit of the eleventh year, M. (irisart."'
f,
MICROCOPY RE.OIUTION TEST CHART
ANSI ond ISO TEST CHART No 2l
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256
TUi: VICOMTE I)K liRAtiELONS E
ff
The physician started.
A Jesuit of the eleventh year was one of those men initiated
into all the secrets of the order ; one of those men fiom whom
science has no further secret, lor whom society has no further
barrier, temporal obedience has no more trammels.
" So,'" said Cn-isart, bowing with respect, " I am in the pres-
ence of a nuister '.' "'
"Yes; act, therefore, accordingly."'
" You wish to know ? "'
" My true condition."
" Well," said the physician, " you have brain fever, other-
wise called acute meningitis, which has rea'hed its highest
degree of intensity.''
" In that case there is no hope, is there '.' "' asked the monk,
shortly.
"I did not say that," rei>lied the doctor; " yet considering
the disordered state of the brain, the shortness of the breath,
the rapidity of the pulse, the burning of tiie terrible fever
which is devouring you — "
" And which has prostrated me three times since morning,''
said the brother.
" Therefore I call it terrible, \^\\i why did you not stop on
the way ? "
" 1 was expected here, and I had to come."'
" Even were you to die '.' ""
" Even were 1 to die "'
*• Well, considering all these symptoms, I will tell you that
your conditioi. is almost hopeless."'
The monk smiled strangely.
" What you tell me is iierhaps sufficient for an affiliated
member, even of the eleventh year ; but it is not enough for
me, M. Crisart. ic is too little, and I have a right to demand
more. ( ome. let us be more candid still, and as frank as if
we were speaking to (iod. iiesides. I have already sent for a
confess(U'."
"Oh, 1 have hopes, however," murnuired the doctor.
" Answer,"' said the sick man, displaying with a dignified
gesture a gold ring, the stone of which had until then been
turned in,"and which b<ue engraved thereon the sign repre-
senting the Society ot Jesus.
(Jrisart uttered an exclamation:
" The general I" lie cried.
A JEsrir OF IHE ELEVENTH YEAR.
■Ihl
" Silence ! "' said the monk ; " you see tliat it is necessary to
tell the truth."
" My lord, my lord, send for the coniessor,"' murmured
(h-isart, " for iu rwo hours, at the lirst attack, you will grow
delirious and will pass away at the crisis."'
" Very well," said the patient, whose brow had contracted
for a moment ; " I have two hours, then '.' "'
" Yes, without doubt, if you take the potion I am going to
send you."
" .Vnd that will give me two hours ? "
" Ves."'
" I will take it, were it poison, for these two liours are neces-
sary, not only fur n;e, but for the glory of the order."
"Oh, what a loss!" murmured the physician, "what a
catastro[)he fnr us I "
" It is the death of a man, that is all," replied the nu)nk,
" and (to 1 will see that the po(ji' monk who is about to leave
you will bud a worthy successor. Farewell, M. Grisart, it is
already a favor of the Lord that I have met you. A doctor who
had not been athliated to our holy order would have left me
ignorant of my condition, and counting on living several days.
I should not have taken the necessary precautions. You are a
scholar, M. (Jrisart; that does honor to us all. It Wduid have
been repugnant to me to have seen one of us mediocre iu his
professioi'. Farewell, M. (rrisart, farewell; and .send me your
cordial at once I "
" At least give me your blessing, m(>nseigneur I "'
"In my n:iud, yes, — go — in my mind, I tell you —
.liiiiiio, M. Grisart. — rirlims Ini/ios.iihl/i' / ''
And he again fell back in his armchair, unconscions.
M. Grisart hesitated as to whether he should give him im-
mediate assistance or hasten to prepare the jjromised cordial,
lie evidently decided iu favor of the latter, for he hurried from
the room and disappeared down the stairs.
Vol. n. — 17
268
THE VKOMTE DE HH.[(;EL(>S.\ E.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
THr. STATF. SKritF.T.
i1
A FF.w moinpiits after I>r. (iiisait lol't, tlio foiil'essor arrived
Scarcely liad he crosseil tlie tliresholil wlieii tlie Fianciscaii
fixed on hiui liis iienctratinj^ glance. Tiien shaking his gray
head he nuuinured :
" A poor mind ; I hope (r(id \vill forgive me for dying with-
out the help of this human intirniity."
The confessor, on his side, lookeil w itli astonishment, almost
with terror, at the dying man. Never had lie seen eyes so
bright just as they were about to close, looks so terrible as they
were about to be quenched in death.
The Franciscan made a rapid and imperious movement of his
hand.
" Be seated, father," .said he, " and listen to ine."'
The .Jesuit confessor, a good priest, simjde and innocent, and
but lately initiated into the mysieries of the order, yiekled to
the superiority of the penitent.
" There are several persons in this inn," continned the Fran-
ciscan.
" But," said the Jesuit, " I thought I had come to hear a
confes.sion. Is what you are saying a confession '.' "
" Why this (piestion ?"
" In order to know if I am to keep your words secret "
" My words are part of my confession ; I entrust them to
you in your character of confessor."
'' Very well ! " said the priest, seating himself in the arm-
chair which the Franciscan had just left with great difficulty
to lie down on the bed.
The Fi'anciscan continued :
" There are, I repeat, several persons in this lu)tel.''
" So 1 have heard."
"They ought to be eight in number."
The Jesuit made a sign that he understood.
"The first to whom I wish to speak," said the dying man,
" is a Cierman from Vienna, whose name is the I>aron von Wost-
]nir. Be good enough to send for him, and to say to hiin that
the one he e.xpecL(;d has arrived."
If
THi: STATE se<hi.:t.
2.59
The ...nfessur, a.stu,:isho,l, !,.,.k..l ut his peMitent ; ti.e .onfes-
suiii seeiiip.l stniiif,'.' t . hi in. . >'i. .om.s
^^^^••JM,evV sai.l th. Fm.uisca,,, iu an invsisfhlc t,m. c.f „.,„-
'nu. goo.! Jesuit, wholly submissive, rose an.l left the roon,
wh • an "ttS <Tr ''"; ''["'r^T^ ^'•-^^^"^•-^ "i- ^'^ 1-1--
aside '" " '"■''■''^^ ^'"■'•'^^^ '"'" "»"' to set
" The Baron von Wostpur ? (Jood .' "' said he • '< amhition«
a fool, and of liniited means." ' '"°'''t'^"«'
JJo folde.1 the papers, uhioh he thrust under his pillow
Kapnl steps were heard at the end of the eorridoi-
Ihe eonfessor entered, lullowe.l by the iJaron von Wostuur
^ .<> walked with head rai.ed as if h. were di.scuss n' w h
lu-nselt i.e .luestuu, of touehing the ceiling with hist 1 uue
the ihu Zku "f "' /'" -jnbredouku.; Franc.seai; a^d of
uie pidiu-iooking room, he said :
" Who sent for me '.' "
'• I," said the Franciscan.
Then turning to the confessor :
•• Good father,-' said he, " leave us alone on-> moment • when
monsieur goes out, come back " "lomenc , wtien
rar?:xnr;;l'mtie'dvi '" '"'^' '''^ "^^•^"^^^- ^^' J"« t-^">o-
in I V? ^^ '"" '"''^"^ '■°^'" to ask the landlord some
th Jha,urS"thl'^F"'''''^^ '^' ^"^ ""^ "'^^ ^bout 10 speak, but
tl)t hand of the Franciscan imposed silence on him
came herpf'""/!'' ""' ^'''''^''' ^^^^ *!»« latter, hastily. <' Y
tame here for the competition, did you not '^ "
" les, father."
" You hope to be elected general ^ "
" Yes." ■
l>i-'h^'osidr\vh,ch ^?' r"*^^''""' "■?'>• ""^ '^'' attain this
eMua/orpopi •;■•"' '"^'"^ '^ "^^"^ ^^^ '"-*- of kings, the
'I WV.,^ r..... HI , , .
ou
''*'" m^Sest"^""'''^ *'" ^''•'^"' "^'^ ^"bject me to
these interrogatories .
" I am he whom you expected.
" The elector-general ? '"
" I am the elected."
" You are — "
i'-
2H0
THE VICOMTE DE IUt.\<iELi)\ \i:
The Franciscan dnl not ;;ive him time to finish ; he stiftched
out his shrunken liaml un which shone the riiii,' of the y;ener-
alshif).
The haron sprang back in surprise ; then at once bowing in
profound respect, cried :
•' What, you here, nH)nseigneur '.' Vou, in this poor room,
on this wretclied bed, seeking and clioosing the future general,
your successor '.' "
<• Do not trouble yourself about that, nu)nsieur ; fulfil quirkly
the principal condition of furnishing to the (a-der a secret of
such importance that by yo'.ir instrumentality one cjf the great-
est courts of Eurojte wi'l be forever subjected to the Order.
Well, have you this secret, as yon promised to have, in your re-
quest addressed to the (Jrand Council ? "
'• Monseigneur — "
<' lint let us proceed in due ordc. You are the Baron von
Wostpur •.' "
" Yes, monseigneur."
'• This letter is from you ? "
The general of the Jesuits drew a paper from his bundle and
handed it to the baron. The latter glanced at it, and made a
sign in the attirmative.
<■ Yes, monseigneur," said he, "this letter is from me."
'• And you can show me the reply sent by the secretary of
the (Jrand Council '.' ''
'■ Here it is, monseigneur."'
The baron held towards the monk a letter bearing the simple
address :
" To his Excellency the Baron von Wostpur," and containing
the single i)hrase :
" Frotii fill' ]')th to thf 22il Mmj, Fontainehlrau, Hotel of tlm
Bran Pnon. A.M.D.tir'
" Very good ! "' said the Franciscan ; "' now speak.'"
'• I have a body of troops, composed of fifty thousand men ; all
the officers are wt)n t)ver. I am encamped on the Danube. In four
days I can overthrow the emperor, who, as you know, is opposed
to the progress of our C)rder, and replace him by the prince of
his family on which the Order may determine."
The Franciscan listened without giving a sign of life.
" Is that all ? " said he.
' Ad tnajorem Dei gloriam.
Tin: STATE si:cri:t.
1261
"There is a European revolution in inv plan," said the
baron.
'•That is well, },{. ,le Wustpur, you will receive the replv-
return to your room, and leave I'ontainehleau in a .luarter of
an liour.
The baron withdrew haekwards. as ol.se.piiouslv as if lie
were taking' leave of the enij.eror he was rea.ly to betray
'• I here is no secret there," murmured the Franciscan- "it
is a plot. IJesules," he added, after a momenfs retiection,
•• the future of Euroiie is no hm-er in the House of Austria "
And with a red pencil he held in his hand he strm^k the
name of the Baron von W'ostpur from the list
"Now for the cardinal," said he; " from Spain we ought to
liave something more serious."
Raisin- his eyes, he .saw the ccmfessor, who was awaitin- his
orders, as submissive as a school-boy. "
'• Ah !•' said he noticing bis submission, "you have spoken
to the landlord .' " *
" Yes, moiiseigneur, and to the iihysician "
" To (Jrisart ? "
" Yes.''
" Is he here, then ? ''
" He is waiting with the promised potion "
- That is well. If necessary I will call him. Now you
understand the full importance of my confession, do you not " "
" les, monseigneur."
'■Then go and send me the Spanish cardinal, Herrebia.
Make haste. Only this time, as yon understand the matter in
Hand, you will remain near me, for I feel faint."
" Shall I summon the doctor "' '"
'' Xot yet. The Spanish cardinal — that is all — go "
Hve minutes later the cardinal entered the little room, pale
and nervous. > i "• ^
" I learn, monseignen.r — " he stammered
''To the point," said the Franciscan, in a faint voice
And he showed the cardinal a letter which the latter had
written to the Grand Council.
" Is that your handwriting ? '" he asked
" Yes, but — •'
" -Viid your summons ? "
The cardinal hesitated to answer. His purple revolted
against tlie garb of the poor Fraueiscan.
iTH
.•'.^. t
y
S -■.■M
•11
202
THE VICOMTE DE BRAdELoXNE.
Tlu> tlyint,' 111:111 extended Ids liaiid an<l showed the ring,
wluch produced its ett'eit, i,'reater in proportion tJ the f,'reatness
of the one over wlioni the Franciscan exercised liis intluence.
'• The secret, the secret, (luick ! " said the dying man, leaning
on his eont'essor.
'• Corn ,11 isti :' ■' asked the nervous eardinah
" Speak Spanish," said the Franciscan, showing the liveliest
attention.
" Vou know, inonseigneur," said the cardinal, continuing the
conversation in ( astilian, '• that tlie condition of the marriage
of the Infanta with the King of France is an absolute renun-
ciation of the rights of the aforesaid Infanta, as well as that
of Louis XIV., to all claim to the crown of Spain?"
The Franciscan nuide a sign in the affirmative.
« The result is,'" continued the cardinal, " that the peace and
alliance between the two kingdoms depend on the observance
of tiiat (dause of the contract."'
The same sign from the Franciscan.
"Not only France and Spain," said the cardinal, "but the
whole of Europe would be shaken by the faithlessness of one
of these parties."
Another movement of the patient's head.
" It further results,"' continued the orator, " that the one
who might foresee events and give as certain ihat which is
nothing more than a cloud in the mind of man — that is the
idea (jf"the good or the evil to come — would })reserve the world
from a great catastrophe. And the event, imagined in the
brain of him who originated it, could be turned to the advan-
tage of our order."
" Pronto ! pronto ! "' ' raurnnired the Franciscan, who grew
pale and leaned upon the priest.
The cardinal approached the ear of the dying man.
" Well, monseigneur," said he, " I know that the King of
France has decided that at the first pretext, a death, for instance,
either that of the King of Spain ov that of a brother of the
Infanta, France will, arms in hand, claim the inheritance; and
I have in readiness the plan of policy agreed on by Louis XIV.
for this occasion."'
" This i)lau '.'' "' asked the Franciscan.
" Is here," said the cardinal.
>Cloierl CloMrl
THE ST All-: sijfRirr.
2tJ.J
" lu whose handwritiiij,' is it '/ '"
'• 111 iiiiiic."
" Hiivf ynii iinytliiiiir further to sav ? "
'• 1 tiiiiik I luive siiid u j,'(hj(1 deal, iiioiisei,L,'iieiir,'
ardiiial.
'• Ves, you liave leuden-d a ^'reat service to tlie
4
i
i
replied the
Order, i)nt
liave
liow did you luocure tlie details by the aid of whieh vou
eonstruete(l your [ilan '.' "
"I have the uuder-servauts of llie Kiii-ol Fraueein my pav,
and I .^et from tiiem all the waste jiaper whi.-ii thev" iiav.'
saved in.^tead of burning.'"
"That is clever," murmured the Franciscan, trvim,' to smile.
'■ M. le Cardinal, you will ieave this hotel in a quarter <if an
hour. A reply shall be sent you. {',<>'. "
The cardinal withdrew.
"Summon Grisart and send me the N'euetian, Marini," saiil
the ]iatient.
While the cunfesKor obeyed, the Franciscan, instead of strik-
ing out the cardinars name as lie had done that of the baron,
placed a cross by the side of it.
Then, e.xhausted by the effort, he fell back on the beil mur-
muring the name of Dr. (h'isart.
When he came to himself lie had drunk half the p,.tion,
the remainder of which was in the glass, and he was sunported
by the doctor while the Venetian and the confessor stood near
the door.
The Venetian went through the same formalities as lii.s two
predeeessors, hesitated as they had done at sight of the two
strangers, but, reassured by the order of the general, revealed
that the Pope, frightened by the jiower of tlie Order, was weav-
ing a plot for the general e.xpulsion of the Jesuits and was
tampering with th.e courts of Europe to obtain their aid. He
mentioned the auxiliaries of the pontitl' and his means of action,
indicating the precise locality in the archipelago where sud-
denly two cardinals, adepts of the eleventh year and eonse-
[uently high in authority, were to be transported with thirty-
two of the leading attiliated members to Rome.
The Franciseaii thanked Signor Marini. His denunoiation
of the papal plan was of no small service to the society.
After this the Venetian was ordered to leave in a quarter of
an hour, and departed as radiant as if he already held the ring,
the sijju of the geueralship of the societ} .
264
////•; VK'oMTi: hi: nnAai.i.oSM:.
t
But wliilf he \v;is leaving the Fraiiriscau miiriinir»'(l Irdiii his
hod ;
'• All tlu"st> men arc sjiie.^ (ir ih'tcftivos ; not oiu' oi' them is
a geniM'al. AH have discovered a |iliit, not one a secret. It is
not hy niin or war or force that the Society oi' .Icsiis must he
gcjvern'id ; it is hy the mysterious intiueiice of moral superi-
ority. No, the man is nut yet found, and to comiilete the mis-
fortune (ind strikes me down ami I die. Oh, must the society
fall with me for want .>f a column to support it '.' Must death,
waiting for ni(\ swallow with uic the future of the ( >rder '.' —
tliis future which ten years more of my life would have made
eternal I For it is opening radiant and splendid with the reign
of the new King."
These words, half thought, lialf uttered, the good Jesuit
heard with terror as we liear the delirium of one in a fever;
while (irisart, of a more cultivated intellect, was devouring
them as if they were revelations from an unknown world into
which he could see, but to which he could not attain.
Suddenly the Franciscan rose.
"Let us finish," said he, "death is approaching. Oh, jast
now I was dying calmly. I was hoping. Now I fall hack in
(lespair unless among those who are left — Grisart, CJrisart, save
me for another hour I '"
Grisart drew near the dying man and made him swallow
some drops, not of the potion which was in the glas.s, but of
the contents of a flask which he carried.
"("all the Scotchman," cried the Franciscan. '-Call the
merchant from Bremen! Call I Call I Jesus, I die, I suffo-
cate : "
Tlie confessor rushed out to seek assistance, as if there were
any human force which could stay the finger of death hover-
ing over the S'ick man. On the tlireshold of the (h)or he found
Aramis, who, his finger on his lips like tlie statue of Harpoc-
rates, the god of silence, sent him by a look to the end of the
room.
The physician and the confessor, however, after consulting
each other with their eyes, made a movement as if to push
Aramis aside, but the latter, svith two signs of the cross diii'er-
eutly made, fixed them in their places.
" A leader ! " murmured both.
Aranus advanced slowly into the room in which the dying
man lay struggling iu the death agony.
THE STATE SECHET.
266
The FraiK-iHcaii. whothor from the etT.'.t of tlio elixir ..r l)c-
laiise the si^jht of Anuiiis had restored lii-, streiii,'t,li, niiuW a
movement, and wiM, sliininR eyes, lialf-open nioiitlT, hiiir driii-
I'lnf,' with iiersi)iration, rose in iiis l)ed.
Araniis felt tliat the air of the room was sntfociitiiig. Kverv
wukIow was (dosed. A tire was h.irnin^' oii tiie iiearth. Two
yellow wa.v eandies were drippui- over the eoppt-r caiidiesticks
and rendered stdl more .h-nse the stifling,' atmosphere.
Araniis opene.l a window, and fixin- npon tiie (i\in>r ,„;i,,
a look full of nnderstandiMK' and resj.ect, said to him":
•• Mon.seij^Mieur, 1 he;,' your pardon lorconiin.^' to yon witlxMit
a summons, hut your condition fri^ditenrd me, and I feared vou
mi^^ht (he without .secin- me, for I am the sixth on vour list ■'
Ihe dyiii^' man started and -lanced at his list.
••Vou are he formerly called Ar.unis, later the ('Innalier
d Herhlay .' \ ou are now the Hishop of Valines'.' "
" Ves, my lord."
'• I know you, I have seen yon."
" At the last juhilee we were tot,'etlier with the IIolv
ravher. " •'
•• Ves yes, I rememher you. And you place yourself anions'
the candidates ? "' -' b
'• My lord, I have heard it said that the Order needed to T)os-
sess a -reat state secret, and knowing that vou liad, throuKli
modesty, resigned m advance your position t(; him who should
learn this secret, I wrote that I was prepared to coinpete, as
1 alone was in possessi(jn of a secret which to me seemed
important.
•; Speak," said the Franciscan. " I am ready to hear you and
to judge of the importance (^f your inforniati(m."
•• My lord, a .secret as valuable as the one which I shall con-
hde to you is not given by word of mouth. Every idea which
lias once left one's mind to be revealed in anv way whatsoever
no hmger is the property even of him who gave it birth. Spoken
words may be overheard by ears attentive and inimical- it
must not then be revealed at raiulom, for in su(di a case the
secret ceases to be a secret."'
" How, then, do you intend to give your information " '
asked the dying man.
With one hand Araniis signed to the doctor and the confes-
sor to move away, and with the other he held out to the FranciJ
can a paper enclosed in a double envelope.
'4
:v{
1i.
m
iln
2»)r>
THE \i(i)\fii: hi: Hi!.{(!i:i.(>\\i:.
It'
i
"Hilt tlio wntiiiL,' .' " iiskfil tlif Fiiuiiisraii. '-Is nut that
iiiDi'ti (liiiijji'rcii.s iIkiii 'iifakint,' '.' '"
•• No, iiiv loid,'' said Araiiiis. •• tnr in tlic ••MV('ln])c ynii will
iiiul cliaiactcis \viii''li nnl\ you ami I lan iiiidcrNtanil."
I'll? Kraiiiiscaii li»)kt'(l at Araiiiis in fvcr-iiii'ifasini,' sui|iiis<'.
" It is/' ciPiitiiiiii'd tliH latter, •■ the fiplici- uliicli ymi used in
Kl'i."), and wiiich your seiictaiy .Iiian .liijan, wlio is dead, cdiild
il«'<'i|pii('r wore he alive."
" I)o you understand tlic ciijiior '.' "'
"1 was the one who gave it to liini."
And Aranus. Iniwin^ with rcsiicctful f;raco, started to tlie
door as ii to leave.
Hut a i^'esture I'rcun ilu' Franeisean, aeeonipanied liv a erv
oallinj; hiui hack, arrested him.
'• 'esus I " said he. " /•,'(•<•<■ lionio .' "
'i'hen reading; the pajjcr a seeonil time he .said. ■■Come here
quiekly."
Aramis approaehed tlie Fraiudsean with the same ealm lace,
tlio sanu' resp<'ctl'ul manner,
E.Ktendiui,' iiis arm, the FiMueiscan burned in the candle the
paper whi<di .\raniis had i,'iven him, then, taking' the hand of
Aramis anil drawing,' liim nearer lie asked :
" How and throUL^h whom could you possiiily have discov-
ered sucli a secret '.' "'
'• Throuj^h -Madame de Chevreuse, the intimate friend and
confidant of the queen."
'■ And Madame de ( 'hevreuse ? ''
" Is dead.''
'• And otliers '.' Did otliers know it ? '"
" Only a man and a woman of the people."
" Who wore tliey '/ "
" Those who had raised liim."'
" What has i)ecome of them '.' '"
" Dead too. The secret destroys like fire."
" Vet you have survived.'"
" No one is aware that I know it."
" How lonj^ liave you known it ? "
" For fifteen years."'
" And you have ke[)t it ? "
'' 1 wished to live."
" And you give it to the Order without hope of promotion,
without reward '/ "
Tin: siwn: sikhet.
•jt;.
'• I j,'ivf> it to the Onlt'i- with tlio hopt' ul pio/iKitiim aiiil re-
wind," saiil Aiainis; •• tnr if you live, my ionl, ynii will make
III me, now that you know nif. what I can and onLfht to Im-. '
" And sinif I am dyiiii,','" cried the Franciscan." I iiKikc v<iu
my successor. 1 Icre I ''
And diauiu'.,' otT his liiii,' lie placed ii dn the tini^'er of
Araiuis.
Tiieii, turning,' to the two spectiitiM's of tliis scene, he said :
'■ He 'vitiiesses, ami testify, if need l)e. that sick in body, hut
sound in mind. 1 have freely and voluntaiily i,Mven this ring,
the token of si;|)ieme power, to .Monsei,i,'neur d'ilerlplav. I'.ishop
ot Valines, whom I naini' my succ(!ssor, and iicfore whom I, a
hiimlile sinner about to appear at (Jod's tlirune, am the first to
prostrate myself as an example to all."
The Franciscan bent low while the iihysi/ian and the .lesiiit
fell on their knees.
Fveii while lie became paler tliaii tin dyiiii,' man liinisetf,
Aramis turned iiis eye iii»on every actor in the scene; satisMed
ambition flowed witli tlie blood to his heart.
•• Let us hasten," said tiie Franciscan ; " what I had to do
here was urgent. It devoured me. I sliall iievei accomplish
it."'
•• liut I sliall,'" said Aramis.
'• That is well," said tlie Franciscan.
Then turning to the .Jesuit and the pliysician :
" Iieave us alone,"' said lie.
UolIi obeyed.
" With this token," said he, •• you are the man to move the
earth ; witii this token you will overthrow ; with this token
you will e('ify ; in Imr si'jno rinn-s. Close the door,"' said the
Franciscan to Aramis.
Aramis drew the bolt and returned to tlie monk.
'•The Pope has conspired against the Order,'' .said the Fran-
ciscan, '• and must die."
" He shall die," replied Aramis, calmly.
" There arc seven hundred thousand livres due to a mer-
chant of 15reincn named lionstett, who came here to obtain the
guarantee of my signature."
•' He shall be paid.'" sa'id Aramis.
" Six kiiiglit.s of Malta — their name.s are here — have dis-
covered through the indiscretion of an affiliated member of the
eleventh year the three mysteries; it must be ascertained
il
2C8
7'///-: ViCitMTh: DE BRAGELUXXE.
IK
i
Iff
what these men have done witli tlie secret, which must be
again secured and buried."
" Tliis sliall he (hme."
'•Three dangenjus affiliated mend)t'rs must be sent- .i.vay to
Thibet, tliere tu perisii. They are condemned. Here are
their names."
" I will have the sentence executed."'
" Finally there is a lady at Autwerii, a grand-niece of
Kavaillac, who has in her jiossession certain papers which nic
compromising to the Order. For titty-( n(\\curs the tamily has
had a {tension of til'ty thousand livres. The pension is heavy.
the Order is not rich. Buy the [tajiers I'or a sum of money
paid down, or in case of refusal stop the pension — but risk
n(jthing."'
" I will think about it." said Aramis.
" A vessel coming from Liiiui must hav entered Ihe p(irt (jf
I>isbon last week ; ostensibly it is laden with chocolate, in
reality with gold. Kach nugget is liiddcu under a couting of
chocolate. This vessel belongs to the ()rder. It is worth sev-
enteen million livres. Vou will see Uiat it is claimed, liere
are the bills of lading."'
" To what port shall I have it brought '.' "
" To Bayonne.'"
" Unless there are he:ul winds it will i)e here in three weeks.
Is that all?"'
The I'ranci^i an gave an aihrmative sign with his head, for he
e;)uld speak no nutre. The blocxl rushed to his throat and
head and spurted fro i his mouth, nose, and eyes. The
wretched man had only time to ((ress the hainl of Aramis
when he fell in convulsions from his bed upon the Hoor.
Aramis placed liis hand over his heart, but it had ceased to
beat.
As he bent over, Aramis noted that a bit of the paper he
had given the Franciscan had escaped burning.
He picked it u}) and burned it to the last atom.
Then calling back the confessor ami the doctor:
" Your ])enitent is with tiod,'' saiil he to the confessor; •' he
i:«eds nothing further except prayers and the burial for the
dead. Go and iirei)are everything for a simple funeral such as
is suitable for a poor monk, do.""
The desiut left.
Then turning to the doctor and seeing his pale, anxious face;
^11
A MISSI0.\
269
" M. Grisart," said lie in a hiw t(jiie, " piiii>ty tliat glass and
destroy it; ihere reinaiiis tuu iiimli ot what tlie Grand Coiiuril
coiuiuiinded you to jtut in it."'
(Jrisait, overcome, amazed, overwlielmed, alm(jst fell back-
wards.
Aramis shriigged Ids shonlders in pity, took the gl.ass, and
emptied its contents into the ashes of the hearth.
Tlieu lie went out, carrying with him the papers of the dead.
CHAl'TER XXXV.
A MISSION.
Thk following day, or rather the same day, — for the events
we have just described did not end until three o'clock in the
morning, — before breakfast, and as the King was starting tn
mass with the two cpieens ; as Monsieur with the Chevalier de
Lorraine and some other intimate friends had mounted their
horses to go to the river, in order to take one of the much-
talked of baths of which the ladies were so fond ; as there was
left in the chateau no one but Madame, who under the pretext
of indisposition did not wish t<> go out, — Montalais was seen,
or rather was not seen, to glide out of the room of the maids
of honor, drawing after her La Valliere, who tried to hide as
much as possible, and both, hurrying through tlie gardens, look-
ing back at every step, succeeded iu reaching the grove.
The weather was cloudy ; a hot breeze bent the flowers and
the shrubs, the burning dust swept along the roads and rose
in whirlwinds to the trees.
Montalais, who during the \vh ile of the walk had fulfilled
the duties of a clever scout, advanced a tew steps farther, and
looking back to make sure that no one was listening or coming,
said :
"Thank (Jod we are alone. Since yesterday every one has
been sjjying, and a circle has been formed around us as if we
really had the plague."
La Valliere bent her head and heaved a sigh.
" It is positively unheard of," continued Montalais; "from
M. Malicorne to M. de Saint- .Vignan, every one wants to know
270
THE VICOMTK DE BRA(,ELOXN E.
t
ffC
our sof-pt. Tome, Louise, let us icliearse a little in order that
1 may know how to act."'
La Valliere raised to her ooin{ianion hei' beautitul eyes, as
clear and deeji as the blue of a spriuf,' sky.
" And L" .saiil slie, " will ask yim why we have l)een suu)-
moued to Madaiue's room ? \Vhy did we sleep with her instead
of in our (jwn rooms as usual '.' Why dnl you return so late, and
Avhy this siirveillanoe this nuu-ninp; over us '.' ""
'•My dear Lduise you answer my ([uestion by a (question, or
rather by ten questinus, which is not answering,' at all. I will
tell you that later, and as it is of secondary importance, you
can wait, ^\'hat 1 ask you — for everythin;^' depends on that
— is whetlier tliere is or is not a secret '.' ""
"1 do not know if there is a secret," said La Valliere, '• but
what I do know, at least, is that there has been niucli impru-
dence since my silly speech and my sillier fainting of yester-
day. Every one here is makiiri,' comments on us."'
" Speak for yourself, my dear," said Montalais, laughing,
" for yourself and for 'ronnay-Charente, for both of you made
your declarations to the skies, and, untcu'tunately, they were
intercepted."
La Valliere bent her head.
" Keallv,'" said she, '• you overwhelm me."
" I ? ''
" Yes, these jokes will kill me."'
" Listen, Louise, these are not jokes ; en the contrary, nothing
is more serious. I did not drag you out of the chateau, I did
not miss mass, I did not pietend to have a cold like Madame,
which she has no more than I have ; lastly, I did not display
ten times more diplomacy than M. Colbert inherited from M.
de ^lazarin, and makes use of with M. Foucuiet, in order to
succeed in confiding to you my several troubles, for the sole end
that wlien we are alone, with no one to listen to us. you should
deceive me. No, believe me, when I (piestion you it is not
merely oat of curiosity, but because the situation is really
serious. What you said yesterday is knt)wn ; on this text every
one is lueaching. Each one embellishes it to his utmost with
the flov;ers of his imagination ; you had tix^ honor last niglit
and again this morning of l;«'ing the subject of the whole
court, my dear, and the nuiulier of tender and witty re'uarks
ascribed to you, were tliey favorably reported, would nuike
MatU'moiselle tie Scudery L„nd her brother burst with spite."
B
A M/SS/OX.
271
''But my ^rood Montalais," sai.l the poor ffirl, " you know
K'tter tl.au any -me what I sai.l, si.u^o it was ii. v.nu- ,.n.sen,.e
tliat 1 haul It. "
" Yes, I know it, of .•ours,. : I?ut that is not the question.
have not t.^igotten a sin-h- wonl you uttered, hut did vou
tliink what you were savin" '.' "
Louise was troubled. '
••Q.u^st.ous .still: "she ,ried. "Alas! when I w.mhl give
the whole worhl to for-et what I said, how is it that every
uue tries to make; uu- remeniljer '/ Uh, it is terrible ' "'
" What is ? Let us hear."
" To have a friend who oui,dit to spare n.e, who could advise
ine^^and help lue save myself, hut who kills me, luurders
"-Ihere! there!"' said Montalais, "after having sai.l too
ittle, now you are saying too much. \o one is thinking of
killing you nor of robbing you, even of vour se.wet ; we want
it voluntarily or not at all; for it is not onlv a quesiiou of your
atiairs, but ot ours too ; and Tonnay-Charente wouhl sav just
;is I do, were she here. Last night she asked to talk with n.e
in our room, and I was going thereafter the ManieMuip and
Mahcorue conversations, when on my return. whi<di was .some-
what late, I learned that Aladame had sequestered her maids
of honor, anu that we were to sleep in her rooms instead of in
our own. V>w Madame has shut up her nmids of honor iu
order that they may not have the time to consult together an.l
this morning she was closete.l with Tonnav-( 'hairnte for the
same purpose, lell me, then, to what extent Athenais an.l I
may rely on you, so that we can tell y,>u how much vou mav
rely on us. ' •'
-I do not understand your questi.ui,- sai.l Louise, greatlv
agitated. ' o"^-*".>
•■ Hum ! you seem to nn.lerstan.l verv well. But I will put.
luy .piestK^ns in a more pre.ise manner; in or.ler that v..u may
not have the least chan... t.) evade them, so list..,.; JM J,
/"I'e J/. (/,. hnnj,'! „„„,■:■ That is cl.w, is it not '^ "
At this questi.,n. which fell as the lirst projectile of a be-
sieging arm, into a besieged town, L.^uise^aJe a start
)o I I'^ve Ra.m ! she exclaime.l, •' the friend of mv chil.l-
tioo.l. my brother I " - "-"'^^
" X(>, no, no : Again you eva.le me, or rather vou wish to
-scape me. 1 do not ask if you love Kaoul, the fiien.l of voui
27:
THE VICOMTE DE BRAG E LOS NE
'if
i
childhood and your brother; T ask you if you love the Vi-
cointe (h- I'.ra.LCi'lnune, your atliauced hushaud."'
"Oh, iiiercy I my dear, \vh;it severity there is in ycnir
words ! "■ said Louise.
" Vou get no tjuarter irnui ine. I aui neither more nor less
severe than usual ; 1 ask you a (luestion ; answtu- it."
'•Surely,"' said Louise, in a cluiking voice, -'you are not
speaking "to nie as a I'riend : but 1 will answer you, so far as
I am eoncerned, like a true friend."'
'■ Answer."
"Well, my heart is full of seruides and ridienlous jtride
about everytliing whieh a wonan ought to keep seeret, and no
one has ever read int(j the depths of my soul in regard to
this.'"
" I know that perfectly. Had I read it. I should not que.s-
tion you; I should sinijily say : 'My good Louise, you have
the happiness to know .^L de liragelonne. who is a tine fellow
and an advantageous match for a girl without fort'iiu,'. ^L de
la Fere will leave something like fifteen thousand livres a year
to his sou. So some day you as the wife of this son will have
fifteen thousand livres a year. That is tine. Go, therefore,
neither to the right nor to the left; go frankly to M. de lirage-
lonne, that is, to the altar whither he will lead you. After-
wards ■.' Well, afterwards, according to his disposition, you
will be either emaiu-ipated or enslaved; that is, you will have
the right to commit all sorts of follies which people commit
who have either too much liberty or too little 1 " That, my dear
Louise, is what I should have t(jld you at first, had I read the
dejiths of your heart."'
" And 1 should have thanked you,"" murmured Louise, " al-
though the advice does not seem to me wholly good."
" Wait, wait. But immediately after 1 had given you that,
I should have added : • Louise, it is dangerous to si)end whole
davs with vour head on your breast, your hands idle, your
eyes vague ; it is dangerous to seek dark paths and no longer
to smile at the amusements which delight the heart of every
young girl ; it is dangerous, Louise, to write with the tip of
your slioe on the sand, as you do, letters which you erase in
vain, but which still show umler the heel, especially when
the.se letters resemble L"s and IVs ; it is dangerous, finally, to
imagine a tliousaiul strange fancies, the fruit of solitude and
heartache. Such an iiuaginatiou makes hollows in the cheeks
A .1//^.S70.V.
278
of ;i poor ffirl, as well as in her bn.in ; so that it is urn uinisual,
iKider MU'h firoumstauces, to see tli.' most aj,'recabi.' jk.is.ui in
the \v(,il,l become the most disagreeable, and the wittiest be-
f'Mue the most stupid." "
"Thanks, mv lear Anre,'" replied La Valliere, -entlv ; "it
is like yon to speak to me this wav, and 1 thank von for if
"It is tor dreamers that 1 speak; so do not take'anv of my
Nvords to yourself, exeept those you think vou ought to take
I do not know what story CMiiies to mv mind ab-ut some silly
nr melaneholy girl, £,„• M. Daugeau explained to me the
other day that grammatically ,>u'/>nH-,/;.- should be written .ne-
lanrhnhe with an A, because the French w,,rd is formed from
two Greek words, one meaning nolr [black] and the other KiU
\, },■} ?'^ thinking, then, of this young girl who died of
hhtric l„h', from having imagined that the prince, the kin-, or
tiie emperor— no matter which — had fallen in love with her-
whereas the prince, the king, or the emperor, whichever you
please, was plainly in love with another, and — strm. re fact
which she did not perceive, ah hough everv one around her per-
ceived It — chose lier as a screen for his own love affair. You
biugh as 1 do at this poor silly girl, do vou not, La Val-
iiere .' "
" I laugh ? " stammered Louise, as pale as death ; •' yes, of
course I laugh."' '
" And you are right, for it is amusing. The storv or the
liistory, as you will, jdeased me; that is whv I remeinbered it
ami tol( It to you. Just imagine, my good Louise, the rava-'e
winch that kind of melancholy with an // would make in vour
brain, for instance. As to me, I resolved to tell von the story
tor It such a thing happened to one of us, it would be necessary
to be convinced of its truth; to-day it is a snare, to-morrow it
would be a joke, day after to-nmrrow it would be death "'
La Valliere started and grew still paler, if Juit were
possible.
" When a king takes an interest in us,"' continued Montalais,
•• he lets It be clearly seen. an<l if we are what he wants he
linows how to gam us. Y.m see, then, L<juise, that in such
circumstances, between young girls rxposed to such a danger
there should be perfect coufhlence in order that the hearts
which are not morbid may wat.di over those th;i,t inav become
" Silence ! " cried La Valliere. " Some one is coming "'
Vol. 11. -IS
80.
274
Tin: vicoMii: de J',ii.i<;/:lo\xi:.
Iff
"That is ti'uo," s;ii<l .Mdiitaluis; -but who can it be?
Every one is either at mass witli tlie Kin;,' or hathinj,' with
Monsieur."'
At the end of the path tlie yonnj^ yiils saw ahuost iiumeili-
ately, l)eneath the aieliiuLC trees, tlie (,'raeefnl hearing anil nuhh-
form of a vnuuL,' man wh.), wiili iiis sword under iiis arm and
a cloak over ir, hooted and spurred, saluted tliein ^rom afar
with a ^'cntle smile.
'• Ita.oul I " cried .Moutalais.
'• .M. de ]!rai,'(donne I " murmurtnl Louise.
"A very natural ,jnd,L,'e to decide between our opinions," said
Jloiitalais.
"()h, Moutalais I .Mnutalai-^ I l'"or pity's sake," cried I, a
Valliere, •' after liavim.,' been cmel do not be inexorable I "'
These words, uttered with all the fervor of a i>rayer, effaced
from the features if not from tlie lieart of Moutalais every
trace of irony.
'- Oh, you are as handsuuie as Aniadis, M. de r>raL;eluune 1 "
cried she t<j liaoul : •■ and armed and booted like him I "
'• A thousand compliments, young ladies, "" replied IJragt-
lonne, bowing.
" P.ut why tliese boots'.'" r-'peated Moutalais, wliile La
Valliere, although she hxiked at Haonl with a sur]n-ise equal
to that of her conij);inion, ne\ertheless kept silent.
'• Why '.'■■ said Haoul.
" Yes," ventured La \'allicr".
" Because 1 am going away," said l>rag(d(jnne, looking at
Louise.
The young girl felt herself seized by a superstitious terror
and swayed.
"You are going away, Kaoul'' '" cried she. " \Vhere are
you going '.' "
" ]\ry dear Louise," said the young man, with the calmness
tliat was natural to him, •• I am going t(j lOugland."
" What are you going to do in England '.' "
" The King is sending me there."
"The King!" exdainu'd Louise and Aure together, invol-
untarily exchangiii'.; glances. lintli I'i'ealied tin; conversation
which had just been interrupted.
Kaoul intercepted the glance, jjut could not understand it.
He naturally attributed it to the interest whieh the young
yirls took in him.
A .\ffSSlOX.
275
•' His Ma]osty, said I,.-. '• has h.-on <,'no(l pn.ni-h t., remem-
ber that n. (ie la Fere is in favor with Charies U. Tliis
monunsjr, tlierelore, »n settiii- out to mass, the k.ii.' seeiiitj
me on the way, iiodilea to nuv so I approached him. "'' M ,le
nra-eloiine,' said he, 'you will go to M. Foiuiuet, who has
re-eived Irom me letters for the Kiii- (,f (Jreat l?ritaiii Vou
will earry them.' I bowed. • Ah.' his Maje.Uv a.ldetl, ' bef..re
leayiiiK you u'lll bo -ood enough to undertake any commissions
ot ^ladame for the King, her brother.' •"
•• Good heavens ! " murmured Louise, greatly agitated, vet
thoughtful. ^ o , J
"So soon! you are ordered to leave so .soon?" said Mon-
talais, })aralyzed by this strange new.s.
" In order properly to obey tlujse whom we re.spect," said
liaoul, '■ we must obey quickly. Ten minutes after I had
received tlie order 1 was ready. Madame, already informed,
IS writing the letter which she is good enough to entrust to
ine. In the meantime, hearing from Mudemoiselle de Tonnav-
Uiarente that you wouhl probably be near tiie grove 1 came
here and have found you both."
•• And both of us in trouble, as you see," said Montalais,
going to the assistance of Louise, whose face had visibly
changed.
" ^'' t''';.'|'le,'" said Raoul, pressing with tender interest Louiae
de la \ alhere's hand. " Wiiy, yes, your hand is icy."
" It i~ nothing."
'• This coldness does not reach your heart, does it, Louise ? "
asked the young man. with a sweet smile.
Loui.se raised her head quickly as if the question had been
inspired by some suspicion and had arou.sed remorse.
••Oh, you know," .said she, with an effort, '-that my heart
will never be cold towards such a friend as you, ^L de'jJra^e-
lonne." °
•'Thank you, Louise. 1 know both your heart and v(mr
soul, and It IS not from the touch of your hand, I know, 'that
oiie should ju.lge of a love like yours. Louise, you know how
1 love you, with what contidence and what frankness I have
given you my life. You will forgive me, then, will you not, lor
speaking to you somewhat like a child ? "
" Speak, M. Raoul," said Louise, trembling from head to
foot, " I am listening."
" 1 cannot go away from you without taking with me a pain-
276
77//; vicoMTi: IH-: iin.\<ii:u).\M:.
t
2\
fill thought; it is ahsiinl, 1 know, l)\it it ia breakiii<? mj
heart."
" Ave you K''i"K away, then, for hjng ? " asked La \ alliere ia
a ehokini,' voice, while .Moiitala's turue.l i'.way her head.
" No, jiroiialily I ^liall nut Ix' t^ni.e longer tlian a. fortnight."
La Valliero I'iressed her hand to lier heart, wliieh seemed
bursting.
" It is strange," went on Uaoiil, looking sadly at the young
girl, '• 1 liave often left yA\ to go on perilous enterprises;
I have set out 1 appy with a free heart, my mind intoxi-
cated with joys to eome, with liopes for the future; and yet it
was a ((uestion of my facing S|ianish bullets or the tierce h.il-
berds of tlie Walloons. To-day. without danger, without
anxiety, 1 am going by the easiest road in the world in search
of a gloriotis reward whicli the favor of the King assures me ;
I am going to win you, perhai)s; fur what reward more i)recious
than yourself could tlie King bestow on me '.' Well, Louise, I
really do not know how it is, but ail this happiness, all this
future flees before my eyes like smoke, like an idle dream, and
I have deep down in my heart a great grief, an inexpressible
dejection, something lifeless like a corpse Oli. I know why,
Louise. It is because I have never loved you so well as I do
now. Oh, iiiydod: My God I "
At this exclamation, which came from a broken heart, Louise
burst into tears and tlirew herself into the arms of Montalais.
The latter, although far from tender, felt her eyes grow
moist and her heart contract as if within a band of iron.
Raoul saw tlie tears of his betrothed. His glance did not
even seek to penetrate beneath them. He bent his knee before
her and tenderly kissed her hand.
In that kiss he put all the love of his heart.
" Rise, rise ! " said Montalais to him, her.self on the verge of
tears. '• Here comes Athenais."
Ilaoul brushed his knee with the back of his sleeve, smiled
again at Louise, who was no longer looking at hiin, and having
w°armly pressed the hand of Slontalais he turned to salute
Madeiniiselle de Tonnay-(Jhareiite, whose silken dress was be
ginning to be heard rustling over the gravel of the path.
" Has Madame finished her letter '.'" he asked her when the
young girl had come within range of his voice.
" Ves, monsieur, the letter is finished and sealed, and her
royal Highness is waiting for you."
Pi
HE BENT HIS KNEE BEFORE HER AND TENDERLY K.iSED HER HAND.
|lff
,:^
Ill
s
A MlSSfOX.
277
At this Kao.il [..iiiscd just, l.,ii- «.n,.UK'li U, saint." AtliHuais,
-ast a last Wk at Loiiisp, ,i,'av.> a paitiiij,' Im,\v t.. Moutalai-i aii(i
sf't off in tlip (lirt'ctiDii of tilt' cliatcaii.
15nt as lie went away ho t.inie.l l.a.-k a-ain, ami at tho end
of tho loii- walk lie turned om-o n.orc. lu vain, he eoMM soo
uotliin^'.
The tlu-ee y.mnff ^ii'Is <"> their side had watched him disai.-
pear witii very <lifferent feelini,'s.
'•At hist," sai.l Athenais, tlie first to hreak tlie silence "at
last we are alone, free to discuss tlie great atfaii^.f ye-terday
;i"d to .leeide as to how w.; are to act in future. s\nv if you
will -ive me your attention,- continued she, looking around
on all sules, " I will explain to you as brieflv as possible our
duty as 1 un.lerstan.l it ; and, if yon cannot take a hint, the
wish of Madame. '
And Mademoiselle de Tonnay-Charent.. lingered ovr the.se
last words m snidi a m inner as to leave no doubt in the mii.<ls
.•t her companions as to the oHicial chara<ner with whi.di she
was invested.
" Madame's wish ! " cried .Montalais and Louise to-otlier
" ller >;/fi>,iafu,>,r replied Maderaoi.selle de Tonnay-Charente.
(liploinatically. ' '
•■But, for goodn.'ss sake!" murmured La Valliere, -does
.Madame know '.' "
'• .NLadaiiie knows more than we have said," replie.] Athe-
nais, shortly. " So let us understand one another "
'• Oh, yes," said Montalais, " I will listen with all m\ irs
^peak, Athenais, I am listening."
" (^)od heavens ! " murmured Louise, trembling from head
to toot, " shall r survive that cruel evening " "
"Oh, you need not be afrai.l," said Athenais, •' we have a
remedy.
Seating herself betN.een her two ^-ompanions, and taking a
liand of each in her own, she began.
As she uttered the first words there was heard the noise of a
rhatear '^""° "^'er the highway beyond the gates of the
H.
liU
278
'/•///•; VK'OMTE hi: nn.\(l I.LOS' SE.
cww'vvM xxxvr.
Ml
i
s
#
AS IIAII-V AS A I'KINTi;.
.IrsT as ho was idioiit to futfr tlic rlifitoaii, Hrut^'PlnnnP iiu't
!•(' (luichf. I'ul liclnii' liaviii;,' hcMi iiift by Ivamil, Dt- (liiiclif
liail fiicoiiiitfi' il Maiin ;'iiii', whi> lia.l coiiic acinss Mahconu'.
II. )w liail MiilKonio iii<-t Maiii(aiii|) ■.' N'utliiii^' sinipltT ; lit-
hail a\vuiteil !ii.s ifturii t'lniii mass, whifli lit' had attfiidt'd witli
M. (IH Saiiit-Ai^'iiaii.
When tiiov iiH't they loii^'ratulated eadi other on tli.-ii' goo.l
turtiim', aiid'Maiiicam[) took advaiita^;*- of tlie .•iicmiistaii«e to
ask his t'rifiid if he h.id not a few crowns still n-iiiainini,' at the
buttoui of his pocket.
The latter, without showing' surjuise at tln> question, which
he had been expeeting, rephe<l that every pocket whiidi one
empties without refilling resend)les those wells wiiich supply
water during the \Mnter, l)ut which gardeners nun hy exhaust-
ing during the sunnner ; that his, Malicorne's. pocket certainly
was deep, and that there was a pleiLsuie in drawing on it in
times (d' i)lenty. but that, unfortunately, abuse had brought
about barrenness.
To which Mauieamp dreamily had replied :
" That is true ! '"
"The (juestion, then, is how to till it.'" Malicorne added.
" No doubt ; but how '■ '"
"Nothing easier, my dear M. Manieamp."
« Gootl I Le^ a.s hear."
" A post at Monsieur's, and the pocket is full."
" Have you the post '! "'
" I have the promise of it."
" Well ? "
" Yes ; only the promise without the post is the i)urse with-
out money."
" That is true," replied Manieamp a second time.
'< Let us follow up the post, then," the candidate i)ersisted.
" My dear fellow,'" sighed Manieamp, '• a po.st at Monsieur's
is one of the gravest difficulties of our position."
" Oh ! Uh ! "
" Certainly ; at present we cannot ask Monsieur ior any-
thiflg."
AH /I A /•/'}■ AS A fll/ycE.
279
" Why not ■.' "
" liecatise we ;irR tict oti jjood tonus witli him."
" AbHunl : " Huiii Midi.oini', sliortly.
•' Hii'i ! And if we sliow .M;i.l.inio iiiiv iith'iition." said Man-
icaiii|., "could we, frankly s|.«-akint,', please Monsi.'iir / "
•• Kxactiy ; if we pay com-t to Madanif, jjid ar.' clcvci-, wo
uii;,'ht to l)t« adored by Monsieur."
•• Hum !"
••Or wo ao fools! .Mako hasto, thoroforo, .M. .Manicanip,
you vvlio ;iro a ^n'lit politician, to reoonoilo M. do (iuiclio with
Ills royal llijjlmoss."
'• <■' 10, what did M. do Saint- .\if,'nan ttll you, .Malicorne ? "
" Nk .' Xotliiut,'. Ho (luostiouod me, that wa.s all."
" Weil, ho was less discroot with me."'
'• He told you what '.' "
"Tiiattho Kini,' is madly in lovo with Mademoiselle de la
\ allioro."
" We know that, forsooth!" roplied Malicorne, ironically,
•• and every one is talking' loud enough about it for all to know ;
but m the meantime, do as I advise you, I bej,'; speak to .M. de
(ruicho, and try to get him to make advances to Monsieur.
The douce ! He certainly owes tnat to hi.s royal Hij,'hness."
'• l>ut De (iuiche must be seen."
•' It so"ins to mo there will be no great difficulty in that;
ui order to see hini, do what 1 did to see you: wait for him ;
you know that naturally he is a great walker."'
•• Ves, but where does he walk ? "'
'• What a (juestiou ! He is in love with Madame, is he
not ? "
"So it is said."
" Well, lie walks under the windows of Madaine's apart-
ments."'
" Well, my dear Malicorne, you were not mistaken, for here
he comes."
" Why, do you suppose I could be mistaken ? Have you
noticed that such is my habit'/ Tell me. Come, there is
nothing like understanding each other. Are you in i aed of
uioney ":* "
'• Ah ! " exclaimed Manicamp, mournfully.
" I have need of my post. Let Malicorne have the office and
Malicorne will have the money. It is no more difficult than
that."
280
THE VICOMTE DE fil!AGELO\\E.
i
" Well, in that case, make yourself easy. I will do my best."
" Do."
Pe (Juiche advanced; Mahcoriie stepped aside; Maiiicamp
sto})ped i)e (Tiiiciie.
Tlie count was thou,u;litfal and melancholy.
"Tel! me wliat ihynu' you are trying,' to tind, my ilear count,'"
said Manicamp. •• I have au excellent one to match yours, es
pecially if your ends in anir."
De Guiciie sh(»ok his head, and recogniziu;,; a friend took
hiiu by the arm.
" My dear Manicamp," said he, '• I am looking for sometliing
else besides a rhvnie."
" What '.' " "
"And you will help me to find what I am looking for," con-
tinued the count, "you who are such au idle fdlow, — that is,
a man with a mind full of schemes."
'• I am getting my schemes ready, my dear count.""
" Here are the facts, then: 1 wi^h to aj)proach a house in
which T have some business.""
" You must g(j iu the direction of the hotise, then,"' said Man-
icamp.
" Very good ; but this house is inhabited by a jealous hus-
band."
"Is he more jealous than the dog (,'erberus '.' "'
" No ; not more, but cpiite as much.""
" Has he three mouths, like that inexorable guardian of the
infernal regions? Oh, do not shrug your shoulders, my dear
count. I ask this question in all good faith, since poets claim
that in order to weaken < "erbei is the traveller must take a cake.
Now I who look at things fron a prosaic side, tiiat is, f -.im the
side of reality, I say, one cake is very little for three mouths.
If your jealous husband has three nu)Uths, count, ask for three
cakes."'
" Manicamp, such advice as this can be got from ^[. Ueautru.""
" In order to get better advice,"" said Manicamp, in a serii>-
comical tone, "you will have to adopt a more precise formula
than the one you liave used to me."'
" Ah ! if Raoul were here,'" said De Guiche, " he would
understand me."'
"I think so, especially if you said to him : 'I shouhl greatly
like to see ^fadame a little nearer, but I am afraid of ^^lonsieur.
because he is jealous.' "
^.S' HAPPY AS A PRINCE.
281
ki'."- '■■>
"Manicani]) !"' exclaimed the count aii-jrily, ondeavoriug to
crush till' jester by a Idok.
Hut the jester did not seem to feel the slip;iitest emotion.
•• What is it now, my dear count '.' "' asked Mauicamp.
"What! it is thus you blaspheme the most sacred of
names ! " cried De Guiche.
" What names '.' "
" Monsieur, Madame ! the first names in the kingdom ! "
"My dear count, you are strangely mistaken, I never
mentioned the lirst names in the kingdo"m. I answered you in
regard to a jealous husband whose name vou did not tell me,
but who naturally has a wife. I replied to you: <In order to
see Maddiii': get a little nearer to Moiisiiuir.' '"
" Is that what you said '.' " asked the coui.t, smiling.
*' Xuthiiig else."
" Very good ; what then ? ''
"Now," added Manicamp, "suppose that it be the duchess
— and the duke; very well, I shall say to you, let us get
into that house, whose ever it is; for that is a mameuvre
which in any case cannot be unfavorable to your love."
" Ah. Manicamp; a pretext, a good pretext; find me one."
" A pretext, by the Lord; a hundred pretexts ! a thousand !
If Malicorne were here he would have found you fifty thou-
sand excellent ones already ! "'
" Who is Malicorne ? " said De Guiche, .shutting his eyes
like a man thinking. " It seems to me I know that name."
"Know hin ! I should think so. You owe thirty thousand
crowns to his father."
" Ah, yes ; it is that worthy fellow from Orleans."
" Whom you promised a post in Monsieur's household ; not
the jealous husband, but the other."
" Well, since your friend Malicorne is so intelligent, let him
suggest to me a way to gain Monsieur's adoration and a pre-
text to make my peace with him."
" Very well. 1 will speak to him about it."
" But who is that coming '.' "
'•The Vicomte de Hiagelonne."
" Raoul ! ^'es, indeed."
And De Guiche went rapidly forward to meet the vonncr
man. - -^ °
" Is it you. my dear Kaoul '.' " said De Guiche.
" Yes, I was looking for you to say good-bye," replied Kaoul,
282
77//; VICOMTE DE lillAd EU>y M..
■#
m
pressiii;^ tlio ooiiiit's 1, id. " IIow do you do, ^^. Mani
camp '.""
" What I Vou are going away, vifointo ';' "
" Ves, on a mission for the King."
" Wlieie ai-e yon going'.' "
•• T(j London. From hero I am goirig to Madame. She is
to give me a letter for liis Majesty King (Jharh's II."'
" You will Hnil her alone, for Monsieur has gone out."'
" Where lias he gone ?"
" To bathe."
" In that case, my dear friend, yon, who are one of M(jnsieur"s
gentlemen, will make my excuses to him. I would have wait'' I
t(j take his commissions had not the desire for my prompt de-
parture been intimated to me by M. Fouquet on behalf of h.
Ma I .-sty.'"
Manicamp touched De (iuiche"s elbow.
•• There 's your pretext,"' said he.
" What -pretext ■.' ''
" M. de l^ragelonne's excuses."'
"A weak pretext,"' said De Guiche.
'' An excellent one if Monsieur is not angry with you ; no
poorer than any other if he is."
" You are right, Manicamp. A pretext, whatever it may be,
is all that I need. And so a pleasant journey to you, my dear
Raoul.'"
And the two friends embracd.
Five minutes later Riiovd entered Madame's apartments, as
he had been asked to do by Mademoiselle de Montalais.
Madame was still seated at the table where she had written
her letter. IJefore her still burned the ruse-colored tajier with
which she had sealed it. In her preoccupation, fur she seemed
deejily engrossed, she had forgotten to extinguish the candle.
Bragelonne was expected. He had been at once announced.
Bragehmne was elegance itself. Once seen it was impossible
to forget him. .Vud not only had Madame seen him cnce, but
it will be remembered that he was one of the first who had met
her and had escorted her from Havre to Paris.
MadaMu\ therefore, remembered him well.
" Ail,"' said she, '• monsieur, you are going to see my brother,
who will be delighted to jiay the son a portion of the debt of
gratitude he owes the father,'"
" The Comte de la F'ere, Madame, has beeu amply recom-
-l.s' HAPPY -is: A PRINCE.
283
l)ense(l by tlie kindness liis Majesty has sliown liim fur tlie little
serviee he was happy en(>iit,'h to render the Kini;, and it is I
who shall eoiivey to liini the assurance of the respect, the devo-
tion, and the gratitude of both father and son."
" Do you know my brother, nionsiei .' ''
•' No, your Highness. This will be the first time that I shall
have had the pleasure of seeing his Majesty."'
'• Vou do not need to be recommended to him; but if you
iiave any doubt as to your jiersonul merit in his eyes, take nie
for your surety. I will not fail you."
" Your Highness is more than good."
'• No, M. do IJragelonne ; I remember tiiat we travelled to-
gether, and I noticed your great wisdom in the midst of the
greatest follies committed right and left by two of the greatest
ninnies in the world, MM. de (Juiche and JJuckingham. Let us
not speak of them, however, but of you. Are you going to
England to seek a home '! Forgive the question ; it is
prompted not by curiosity, but by a desire to be of service to you
in any way I can."
•' No, Madame ; I am going to England on a mission for his
Majesty. That is all."
'• And you expect to return to France ? "
" As soon as this mission is fulfilled, unless his Majesty
King Charles II. gives me further orders."
'> He will beg you at least to remain with him as long as
possible, I am sure."
" In that case, as I should not be able to refuse, I will beg
your royal Highness to be good enough to remind the King of
France that one of his most faithful servants is away from
him."
" Take care that when he does recall you, you do not con-
sider his order an abuse of power."
" I do not understand yon, Madame."
"The court of France is without compare, I know, but we
have some i)retty women at the court of England, too."
Kaoul smiled.
"Oh," said Madame, " yours is a smile which portends no
good to my countrywomen. It is as though you were telling
them, M. de Hragelonne, ' I have come to you, but I have left
my heart on the other side of the channel." Did not your
HUiile signify that ? "
" Your Highness has the gift of reading the innermost depths
"■^SSi
i i JHffmM^. ili
ii^
284
TH
VICdMTE DE BllAGELONXK.
of the soul. You will understand, therofuve, why at present
any prolonged sojourn at the court of Kngland would be a
matter of regret to nie."
" I need not ask if the love of so brave a knight is re-
turiu'd '.' "
"Madame, I was brought uj) with the one I hive, and I
believe that she has for me the same feelings that I have for
her."
" Well, start quickly, M. de Uragelonnc, and return ([uickly,
and on your return we shall see two people made hajipy, for 1
lujpe theie is no obsta(de to your liajipiuess '.' "'
"There is a very great one, Madame."
" Indeed '. what is it ? "
" The King's wish."
"The King's wish'.' Docs the King oppose your mar-
riage '.' '■
'•At least he defers it. I asked the King'- ^'^-.sent through
the Conite de la Fere, and without exactly ug, he said
positively that it must be deferred.'"
" Is the one you love unworthy of you, then '.' "
" She is worthy of a king's love, Madame.'"
"I mean that perhai'S she is not equal to you in birth."
" She is of excellent family.""
" Young? beautiful '.' "'
" She is seventeen, aiul in my eyes ravishingly beautiful."
" Is she in the country or in Paris ? "
•' She is at Fontainebleau, Madame."
" At court ? "
" Yes.''
"Do I know her?"
" She has the honor to belong to your royal Highness's
household.''
"Her name'?" asked the princess, anxiously, "if,'' she
added hastily, " her name is not a secret."
" No, Madame, my love is too pure for me to make a secret
of it to any one, much less to your royal Hi; ' less, who has
been so good to me. It is Madenuuticllc Louise de la Valli^re."
Madame could not restrain a cry iu which there was some-
thing more than surprise.
" Ah,"' suit! she, " La Valliere — the one who yesterday — "
She paused, then contiuued :
"The one who yesterday was taken ill, I believe ? ''
.l.s- IIA/'I'V AS A I'RIXCE.
2So
•■ ^■l's, Mailaiiie; it was only tliis luoriiini,' that I lieanl of the
.u'fiilfiit whicli hail ha|iiiiMH'il tn her."
•• l>iii you spc hiT bdoif coiniiij^ hfie '.' '"
•• 1 had tlu' honor to bill her i^ooil-hyc.'"
•• And voii sav,'' rfsuincd Madame, niakinu^ a violent effort,
"that the King has — dct'i'iTt-d vonr marriage with this
girl '.' •'
'• Yes, Madame, deferred it."'
" Did lie give any reason for this iiostpcnement ?"'
■• None."'
'• How long ago did the Comte de la Fere make the re-
quest '.' "
••More than a month ago, Madame."
'• That is strange," said the princess.
And something like a sluulow pasoed over her eyes.
" A month '.' " she repeated.
" Almost."
•• You are right, M. le Yienmte." said the princess, with a
smile in wkirli IJrageloune might have noticed some restraint,
•• my brother must not keep you ioo long; start ininiediately,
then, and in the tirst letter 1 write to England I will claim \ ou
in the name of the King."
And Madame rose to place her letter in ISragelonne's
hands. Kaoul understood that his audience was at an end.
He took tlie letter, bowed to the princess, and withdrew.
" A month I " murmured the princess. '• Could I have been
blind, then, to such an extent, and could lie have loved her fora
luolith '.' "
As Madame had nothing to do she began to write to h?r
brother the letter ''le ]K)stscript of wliich was to recall Hrage-
lonne.
The Comte de Guiclie, as we have seen, had yielded to the
jiersistency of Mauicampand had allowed himself to be led to the
stables, wiiere lliey ordered their horses saddled : then by the
little path which we have already described to our readers, they
advanced to meet Monsieur, who, fresh from his bath, was
returning to the chateau. He wore over his face a woman's
veil to prevent the sun, alieady hot, from b'n-.iin,' his skin.
Monsieur was in one of those fits of good humor cau.sed occa-
sionally by the a])pieciation of his beauty. In the water he
had been able to compare the wliiteness of his boily with that
uf his courtiers, aud thanks t.i the care which his royal Higli-
.!fr!%i
r
II
286
THE VK'OMTE DK HILtd I.I.oy S E.
'8':
£
#
nesfl took of hiiii^fif. no one, not cvpii tlip Cliovalier de Lorraine,
could sustain tlit> comiiarisou.
Moreover, Monsieur had attained a certain success in swim-
ming and the sahitary exercise of Ins muscles in the fresh
water ke[)t his mind and body in a state of e(|uilibiium. So
at sight of De (i\iiche, whi was gailoi>ing towards him on
a magnilicent white horse, he could not restrain an exclanuition
of delight.
'•It seems to uie that everything hrnks favorable," said
Jlanicami), who fancied \\c could read this kindly feeling on
tiie face of his royal Iliglmes^.
<• (Jood-day, my poor |)e (iuidicl (lond-ihiy :"" exclaimed the
prini-e.
" (Jieeting to Monseignenr," replied I>e (iuiche, encouraged
by Philippe's tone of voice. '• Health, ji.y, liappiness, and pros-
perity to your Highness I "
"Welcome, J)e (Juiche ! 'J'ake my right, but clieck your
horse, for I wish to return at a walk, under this Iresh shade."
" At your service, my lord."'
And De (Jniche rode on the jirince's right as he had been
asked to do.
"Now, mv dear De Guiche,'" .said the ])rince, '• come, give us
some news about that De Guiclie whom I once knew and who
was so attentive to my wife.''
De Guiche blushed to the whites of Ins eyes, wliile Mon-
sieur burst into a laugli as if he had made the wittiest speech
in the world.
The few lu-ivileged courtiers who surrounded ^fonsieur
thought they were expected to laugh too. although they liad not
heard Ins words, and l)urst into a noi.sy laugh, starting with the
first and going through the whole company.
Red as he was. De (Juiche put a good face on the matter;
Manicamp looked at him.
" Ah, my lord," re])lied De Guiche, " be charitable to a poor
wretch ; do not sacrifice me to M. le '"hevalier de Lorraine.''
'• What ilo you mean '.' "'
" If lie liears y;<'i ridiculing me he will go farther than your
Highness and will slnw me no mercy"
" About your love for the princess ? "'
" For i)ity's sake, my lord ! "'
"Come, come, De Guiche, admit that you did make eyes at
Madame.''
.■l.S HAPPY AS A PKIXCE.
287
'• I sliiill never ailiiiit such a. tliiiii^, my lord."
"Out (if respeet to iiie '.' Well, I releiist! Vdii t'nmi tlie re-
spect, He (Jiiicho. Coiit'ess. as if it were a question of Made-
moiselle (le Clialais or of Mademoiselle de la Valliere."
Then, interrupting himself:
"Come," said lie, beginning to laugh again, " I i)layed with
a two-edged sword. I struek yon and my brother at the same
time, Clialais and La X'allieie, your tianet e and his future lady-
love."
" Really, my lonl," said the eount, " you are in a delightful
humor to-day."
•• Ves, indeed. I feel well, and then the sight of you gives
me jileasure."
" Thanks, my lord."
" Were you angry with me ? "
'• I, my "lord '.' "'
" Yes."
" For what reason ? "
" Beeause I interrupted your sarabands and your other
Spanish danees."
" Oh, your Highness I "
" Xo, do not deny it. You left the princess that day wi'h
glaring eyes. That brought you bad luck, my dear fellow, f >r
you danced the ballet yesterday horribly. Don't get sulky,
De Guiche, it spoils you and makes you look like a bear. Hacl
the princess seen you yesterday I am sure of one thing — "
" Of what is that, my lord'.' Your Highness frightens me."
" She would have comjiletely given you up."
And the jirince burst into fresh laughter.
" Decidedly," thought Manicamp, " rank makes no difference;
every one is alike."
The ])rinee continued :
••■ Well, you have returned, and so it is to be hoped that the
chevalier will become amiable again."
"Ho.v^so, my lord? ]{y what miracle could I liave such
influence over M. de Lorraine ? "
" It is very simple. He is jealous of you."'
" Hah : Really ? "
" Yes, it is true.''
" He does me too much honor.''
" You understand that where you are, there he caresses me
when you are gone he makes a perfect martyr of me. I ani
i
i
'S !
t :
il..
288
line VlCU.MTi: Di: nUAUELUSM-:.
*
soiiiotiines up, sdinetimes down. Moreover, you don't know
wlKit iin i(k';i I have."
" I don't even suspect, my lord."
" Well, when you wern in exile — for you really weic o.xiled,
my poor I)e ( iuiclic''
" Zoumls, my lord I whose fault was it'.'" said De (Juiclif,
feij^ninj^ ani^er.
" Certainly not nune, my dear count," replied his royal
Highness. •■ I did not ;i.->k the Kin,:; to e.xile voii, on my honor
as a print'e."
" Not you, my lord, I am fully aware, but —
" But Madame '.' » )h, as to that, I can't say no. What the
devil did you d'> to lun- ? "
" Keally. ^[onsieur — "
" Wives liave their judi^'es, I know, and mine is not exempt.
Hut even if she did liave you e.xiled I was not anj,'ry with
you."
" In that ease, my lord," said De (iuiehe, •' I am not wholly
unliappy."
Manieanip, who was riding behind De (riiii he and who liad
not lost a woril of what the prince had been saying, '"jut for-
ward on liis horse's neck to liide the laugh winch he could not
repress.
" Beside.s, vour e.xile gave me an idea."
" Good ! " "
" When the chevalier, seeing that you were no longer around,
and sure of reigning alone, began to bulldoze me, I notu'ed,
in sidte of this bad fellow, that my wife was ainial)le and good
to me notwithstanding my neglect; I decided theretore to be-
come a model husband, a rarity at court. It occurred to me to
fall in love with my wife."
De (iuiehe looked at the prince with a stu{ietied air whic.
was not assiuued.
" Oh. my lord," stammered De Ciuicdie, trend)ling, " that idea
dill not really come to you, did it '.' "'
'• Ind.eed it did. I have some profjerty given to me by my
brother on my marriage. She has a good deal of money, since
she gets it both from luu- English lu-otlitT and her [''reneh
bri>ther-indaw. ^^'elI, we slioidd h:iv(^ hd't court 1 should
have retired to the chateau of Villers-C'ottereis, one of my
estates in the midst of a forest, where we should have enjoyed
a most perfect love, as my grandfather Henri IV. did there
AS IIAI'I'Y AS A PRLSCE.
28l>
with the fair (iahrielle. What do you say to that idea, I)r
( illicllC '.' "
•• It 's oii(nij,'h to make one treinhle, my h)rd," said I)e
(iiiiclic. who actually was shiveriuj;.
" Ah, I see that you citidd unt support a sccoud exile."
'• I. my iord '.' "
•■ S(i 1 shall not take you with us as [at first thout,'ht of doing."'
'• 1 with VdU. my iord '.' "
'• \ es. il it should occur to me again to be out of sorts with
the cniirt.''
••Oh, my h)rd, in any case 1 would follow your llighucss to
the end of the world."'
•• Stupid! ■■ growled Manicamp, urging iiis liorse towards I)e
liuiclic so as almost to unseat him. Then riding close, as if
he were not luaster of liis steed, he said in a low tone :
•• Think of what you are saying.'"
••Well,"" said the priiue, ••it is agreed. Since you are so
dt\oted to me I shall take you with me.""
•• Anywhere, my lord, any wiiere : '" replied IV- Cuiclie, joy-
ou.-ly. •• Anywhere, and at once I Are you ready '.' "
And De (luiche laughingly gave his liorse "the rein and
galloped a few yards aheail.
•• «>ne moment," said the i)rinee, " let us go to the chateau."
'• What for ? ""
*• Why to get my wife."
" Wliaf.'" denuiuded De (Juiche.
•• Certainly. I told you it was a prospect of conjugal affec-
tion. Uf course I must take my wife.''
•• In that case, my hu'd," replied the count, '• I am in despair,
hut there is no J)e Guiche for vou."
••Hail!"
•• 'J'ruly. Why do you take Madame '.' "
•• liecanse I tind that I love her."
De (iuiche turned sligh-'y pale, Ijut endeavored to preserve
his apiiarent cheerfuliuvjs.
•• If you love .Mad; .'le. my lord,"" said he, "that love ought
to suffice, and you have ,io fiuther need of your friends."
'• That 's not bad,'" murmured Manicamp"
" Come I There is your fear of Madame seizing vou aji-am,"
replied the prince.
" Well, my lord, I have paid for that. Sin was the cause of
iDV exijo "
m
1^1
m
290
THE VK'oMii: uE iiR.\(;i:i.()\M:.
*
"Tilt, tut I what an evil nature ynu liav«', l>f (Juiche!
How siiitt'tul you ami'"
'* I sliduld like to sfo you in the sanio position, nr. l nl I "
" DciiiltMlly. That was why yon (lanced so l)aill\ ;. eslen'ay.
You wished to aven<,'e youiseit hy inakini,' Madame : ike tal-e
steps. Ah, l)e (luiehe, that is very paltry and 1 -hall t(dl
Ma(hinie ot it."'
'• Vou may tell lier anytliinj,' you please, my lord. Her
IIij,'hness cannot hate me more than she does already. '"
"There! There! Vou are e.xai;t,'eratin,i,' iiecause of tiie
fortni^dit you were lorced to spend in th(! country."
" My lord, a iortnight is a t'ortiu.-;ht, and when one is bored
to death the entire time a l'ortnij,dit is an eternity."
" So that vou will not fortjive her'.' ''
" Never.''"
"Come, come, De (iuiche, be a better fellow! I will make
your peace with her. Vou will see, if you are witli her, that
she has no evil traits, and that she is very intelligent."
'• My lord — ■■
" Vou will see that she knows how to receive like a princess
and laugh like one of the people; you will see that when he
cliooses she makes the liours jiass like minutes. De Guieu
mv friend, you must make up with my wife."
*" Actually,'" said Mauicamp to himself, •• here"s a man whose
wife's veryiiame will bring him ill luck; and the late King
CandauU's' was a veritable tiger in comparison with Monsieur.""
"At any rate, De (iuiche," added the prince, -you will
make up with my wife. I guarantee it. Only 1 must show
you how to do it. There is nothing ordinary about her, and
not every one is to her liking."
" My lord — "
" No resistance, De (iuiche, or I shall get angry,"' rei)lied
the prince.
" Since he wants it,"' whispered Mauicamp into De (iuiche's
ear, " satisfy him.'"
" My lord,"' said the count, " I obey."'
" And to begin with," continued the prince. " there will be
cards this evening at Madame's. Vou will dine with me and
I shall take you there.''
"Oh, as to that, my lord," objected De Guiche, " y.)U will
permit me to decline.'"
" Again ! Why, this is rebellion."
AS ifif'py AS I pHfyci:.
■2'.n
" Mndainc roccivod nic tno hadly yostcrdiiy iM-fnir pvcrv imc."
'■ Iiidt'f'd," said till' luiinf, lani^liiiij,'.
' So inucli so tliat she did imt t'Vfii answer iiif wlu'ii I 8|iokt«
(o lifi- ; ]i('ilia|is it, may Im' \v(dl to Iiavt- no in-idc, Imt too little
is lint siitficit'iit, as tliey say.'*
••( 'oiiiit, after dinner you wil! :;o to your ouii apartments
and dress. Tlien you will come for nu\ I shall wait for
you."
" Since yoni- Hit,dinoss positively o<jmmaiids — "
" Positively."
•• l[e will not lose liis hold," said .Manieamp. "This is tlie
very S(U't of thiuf,' to which husbands ( lini,' most ol)stinatelv.
Ail, why could not M. .Moliere liavi- heard this! He would
have put it into verse if he had."
'I'lius chattinLT, tiie iirince and his suite reeiiteied the coolest
apartments of the chateau.
•• I'.y tiie way,'" saitl I)e (Hiiche on the threshold, '• I had a
inessa'^e for your royal Highness."
'• Deliver it."
•• M. de r>rat;elonne has left fiu- London hv order of the
Kiiej;, and he charged me to pay his resjjects to you, my lord."
•• A pleasant journey to the vicomte, whom I like very much.
Now go and dress yourself, De Guiche, and come back. If
you do not — "
•• What will hapi)en, my hird '.' ''
••I shall have you thrown into the Bastille."
" Well," said J)e (iuiche, laughing, "his royal Highness is
the counterpart of her royal Higimess. Madame had me
exiled because .she liked me too little ; Monsieur has me im-
jirisoned because he likes me too well. Thanks, >[oiisieur !
Thanks, Madame! ''
••Come, come!" said the prinee, -'you are a delightful
fellow and you know perfectly well that I can't do without
you. Eeturn quickly."
" Very well. But it pleases me to play the coquette in my
turn, my lord.''
" Bah ! "
" And I shall not return to your Highness save on one con-
dition."
" What is it '' "
" I want to oblige the friend of one of my friends."
" What is his name ? "
m'
: 1
20-
////: \ir:tMiK m: im i(.i:i.<>.\M:.
Ml
" MalirorriP."
" An u^'l}' iiuiiif."
'• Very w'll lioriic, my lord."
" TliJil iiiiiy 1)0 ; wt'll ',' '"
" WpH, I owe M. M;ili(()rii(' ;i pliuo in yonr IkpusoIioM, my
l.-rd."
" What kind <if \>\mi' '.' "
•' Anv kind; a [inst as supiTvisor, fnr instanco."
"All"! Tiiat is I'ortunati-. V.-stt-rday I disniisst-d IIkmisIrt
i)t' my aiiai'tiiicnts."'
" fie will do for that, my lonl. Wliat, arc tin- duties '."'
"None, pxcejit to serve and to report."
" A deteetive ? "
•• Kxactly."
••lliiW well that will suit .Malieorne ! " v. iitured Manieaniii.
•• Do vou know the man of whom we are siieiikin;.,'. .M. Man-
ieamp '.' " asked the prince.
" Intimately, my lord. He is my friend."
•• And your opinion is '.' "
" Thatyou never had a better usher than he will make."
" How mu(di does the position j^ay '.' '' asked the c(uuit (d' the
]irince.
"I don't know ; but I've always been told that if he kept
busy lie could n't be paid enou},di."
" What do you mean by bein- busy, niMiee '.' ''
" That needs no exiilanation .f the indivi<iual is a man of
sense."
" In that ease I think that you will be content, my lord, for
Malieorne is as clever as the devil."
"(loodl Then tne otHce will Ite an expensive one for me," re-
plied the prime, lau<,'hing. '■ You are makiui,' mo a veritable
present, count."
" I think so, my lord.''
'• Well, t,'o and announce to your M. Melicorne — "
'' Malieorne, my lord."
" I '11 never j^et used to that name.'"
" You say Manicamp without any tnmblo, my lord.'"
" Yes, and I would say Manicorne very well too. Habit
would aid mo.''
'■ Well, my lord, I promise yon that your inspector of apart-
ments will not be an;,'ry. He has tlie hap;>iest disposition
imaginable."
srony of i smad .i\i> of a dhym). -I'm
" III tliiit r;isf, my (Ic.ir Di^ (iuiclic, tt-ll liiiii ol liis ;i|(]i">iui-
iiu'iit. \U\\ wiiit
'• WIkU is It, my lord '.' "
" I wish to st'c him hcforchaiiil. If ho is iis ugly as his n.iiiit'
I •thitli rt'liiict."
'• Mv lupl. Mill know him."
••I •/••
'• Yes. ytiii liiivc iilrcjidy sfoii liiin at tin T;il:iis-Iuiy:il. It
was I myself wlio pn'stMitt'<l him to you.'"
'• .\li, 1 icmi'iiiht'r. 'i'iit! (leiicf I He was a charmiiiL,' fal-
low. "
•■ I know that you must iiavi- iiniict'd iniii, my lord."
" Ves, yos. Vou sec, Do (Jiiicli*', I do not wish cither my
wife fir mystdf to ha'.c u^ly people altoiit us. My wile will
liave her maids of hoiiur pretty; 1, all my gentlemen i^ood-
louking. In this way, you sec, I>e (luiche. if I hcgtt ciiildreii
they will be tiie result of a good inspiration, and if my wife
bears them slie will liave liad before iter handsome models."
'• That, is good logic, my lord,'' said Manicaiiip, showing his
approval by his look as well as by his words.
.\s for I>c (iiiiidic, he probably found the logic less to his lik-
ing, for he merely gave his opinion by a gesture which might
have been variously interpreted.
.Maiiicamp went to inform Malicorne of the good news he had
just heard.
l)e (iuiclie seemed disinclined to go away to make his toilet.
Moiis'eur. .^iii'^ing, ':!■ liiiig, and admiring himself, awaited
his dinner hour in a mood that would have justitied the prov-
erb, "as happy as a prince."
CHAPTER XXXVII.
THE STORY OK A NAIAD AVI) OK A DKVAD.
Every one had been present at the collation in the chateau,
and afterwards had donned court costumes.
The collation was usually held at five o'clock. Let us allow
an hour for that, and two hours for the dressing. Every one
was ready, then, at about eight in the evening.
Towards that hour the guests bejjaa lo arrive at Mad-
*'" '■'"•■■.. ■.'It
294
THE vicoMii-: ni-: iiii.\(n:ij)SM-:
■.«'■»■'•'*»■•
i
•#
aine's, for, ;is \\v have alieiuly siiid, Madaiiit' was rect'iviuj,' that
evening.
Every one was careful not to miss Maihinie"s recejitions, for
the evenings in her apartments hail all llie charm which the
Queen, that j)ious antl excellent princess, failed to give hers.
It is unfortunately one of the attributes of goodness of
heart to be less amusing than ill-nature. And yet, let us
liasten to add. malicious was not an ejiithet that could be ap-
plied to MacUuue. Her nature, of the iiighest tyjie. comprised
too nuudi generosity, too many reliable impulses and lofty
thoughts to be called evil.
But Madame had the gift of resistance, a gift so often fatal
to the one who possesse.s it, for it breaks wiiere another would
have bent. The result was that blows did not become (lead-
ened on her as on that wadded conscience; of Maria Teresa.
Her heart rebounded ai each attack, and like the aggressive
quintains in the merry-go-rounds, if she were attacked most
fiercely, she returned blow for blow to any impudent [lerson,
whoever he was, who dared to tilt against her.
Was this maliciousness or simply mischief'.' ^^'e think
that the rich and j>owerful luitures are the ones that, like the
tree of knowledgt% produce both good and evil: a double
branch, always Hourishing, idways fruitful, whose good fruit
can be detected by those who are liungiy ; whose evil fruit
poisons the cumberers and the parasites — a result that is not
bad.
Madame, therefore, who had in her mind the well-ft)rnied
])lan of being second or even first queen, made her receptions
delightful with conversation, opi )rtunities oi meetings and the
perfect freedom of speech which she allowed every guest, on
the sole condition that what was uttered was either pleasing or
useful. One will readily understand that, therefore, there
was perhaps lesn talking at Madame's than elsewhere.
Madame hated magpies and avenged hersidf cruelly on them.
She let them speak.
She hated pretension, too, and did not pardon this fault even
in the King. It was a malady of Monsieur's, and Madame had
undertaken the gigantic task of curing him of it.
,\s for the rest, — ])oets, wits, beautiful wonuui, — all were
received by her like a mistress sujierior to her slaves ; pensive
enough in her liveliest moments to make poets meditate, strong
enough in her attractions to shine even iu the luidst of tue
STOJty (IF A XAIAD AND OF A DltVAh. 295
loveliest, witty enough lor tiie most distiuguislifil to listen to
her with liclight.
It will readily he helieved that evenings such as were held
at Madaiue's must have attracted every one. \'oung people
Hocked there. When the King is young everybody is young
at court.
So old ladies, the strong-mimled women of the Regency or
of the last reign, sulked; i)ut others answered their pouting hy
laughing at those venerable individuals who had carried their
love of authority so far as to conmiand bodies of soldiers in the
war of the Kroude, in order, as Madame said, not to lose their
intluence o\-er men.
.\s eight o"(dock struck, her royal llii,diness entered the great
drawing-room with her ladies-in-wailmg, and found several
courtiers already there who had been waiting some minutes.
Among these who had arrived in advance of tiie appointed
tinu', she looked around for one who she thought ought
to have been the tirst of all to arrive; but she did not find
him.
However, almost at the same moment that she tinished her
investigation, Monsieur was announced.
Monsieur was splendid to btdiohl. Ail the precious stones
of <'ardinid Maziirin. whicli of course the ministercould not do
otherwise tlmii leave, all the jewels of the (pieen mother, a.s
well as some of liis wife's, — Monsieur wore them all that even-
ing and shone like the sun.
r>ehiiid him, with hesitating ste}), and an air of contrition
perfectly assumed, came I)e (Iniclie, in a costume of pearl-gray
velvet endu'oidered in silver and trimmed with blue ribbons.
Ife also wore lace as beautiful in its way as the jewels of
Monsieur were in theirs. The plume in his liat was red.
-Madame Inid several colors. She liked red for embroiderv,
gray for clothes, and blue for flowers.
^r. de Gmche, dressed as he was, was so handsome that
every one noticed liim. Having a certain paleness of com-
plexion, a languor in the eyes, white hands beneath their deep
lace, a melaiudioly mouth, — it was only necessary, in fact, to
see M. de (Juiche to admit that few men at the court of
France were equal to \v>\\.
The result was that Monsieur, wlio luvl the preten-ion to
think he eclipsed the stars, if a star had been adorned like
him, was, on the contrary, completely eclipsed in all miuds,
^
!-f fi'
290
Till-: VICOMTE DE BRAGELOSSE.
I'
wliicli lUf silent judges certainly, hut very lirni in their eon-
victiDH.
Madame lo()ke(l at De (iuii-ho va;^''.iely ; but va,i,'ui' as \va.«
lier glance, it brought a delightful culnr to his tace. In
fact, Madame found De (iuiche so handsome and so elegant
that she almost ceased regretting th(> royal con(iUfst whii-h
she felt was on the point of slipiung away from her. Her
heart, therefore, in spite of herself, sent all lier blood to her
cheeks.
IMonsieur, assumi'ig his playful manner, approached her.
He had not seen the blush of the princess, or if he did see it
he was far from attributing it to its true cause.
"Madame," said he, kissing his wife's hand, •• there is pres-
ent one who has fallen into disgrace, a wretched exile whom I
have taken upon myself to recommend to you. Remember, I
entreat you, that he is one of my V)est friends, and that your
reception of him will touch me deeply."
" What exile ? What disgraced person '.' ■' asked Madame,
looking about her without glancing at ihe count any more than
at the others.
This was the Tnoment to push forward his iimtvije. The
prince stepped aside and let De (iuiche pass, who with a toler-
ably well-assumed awkwardness of manner ajiproached Ma-
dame d made his bow.
'• Wiiat! ■■ said Madame, as though she felt the greatest sur-
prise, " is M. de Guiche the disgraced one, the exile ? "
" Yes, certainly," said the dvike.
" Why," said Madame, "lie is the only one to be seen here."
" Ah, Madame, you are unjust," said the i)rince.
' I ? "
" Yes. Conie, forgive the poor fellow."'
" Forgive him for what ? What have I to forgive, M. de
(Juiche ? ''
" Ex{)lain yourself, De Guiche. What do you wish to be
forgiven for '.' " asked the i>rince.
"Alas ! her royal Highness knows very well what it is," re-
jflied the latter, hypocritically.
"(Jome, come, give him your hand, Madame," said rhilipi)e.
" If it will give you pleasure. Monsieur."
And with an indescribable movement of her eyes and
shoulders, Madame extended her beautiful, perfumed hand to
the young man, who pressed his lips to it.
«' >r
STORY or I XAf.M) AM) oF 1 DIIYM).
297
m
He uiiist liuve hold it for some time and Madame did not
ivithdiMw it any ton ([iiickly, for the prince aildcd :
'• l)i' (tuii'lie is not wicked, Maiiaiiie, and certainly will not
lulc yon.''
In the L^allei'y they took advantage of this roi'iark, which
was iK'rhai)s not very witty, to langh to excess. In fact,
the situation was remarkable, and some kindly disposc^d i>er-
sons had noticed it. Monsienr was still enjoying the effect
of his remark when the King was annonnced.
The appearance of the room at that moment was as we ore
about to describe :
In the centre, before the fireplace, which was filled with
tiowers, stood >[adamc, with \\^v maids of honor formed in
two wings, about wlii(di flitted the court buttertfies.
Other groups occupied the recesses of the windows like
soldiers of the same garrison in their toweis, and from their
lespective places they could hear the remarks of the principal
group.
From one of these groups, the one nearest to the fireplace,
Malicorne, promoted by Manicamp and De (! niche to the post
of master of the apartments, — Malforne, whose official
costume had lieen ready for two months, was brilliant with
gold lace and beamed on Montalais, at the extreme left of
^kladame, with all the fire of his eyes and all the splendor of
his velvet.
Madame was talking with Mademoiselle de Chatillon and
.Mademoiselle de Creqni, who stood near her, and addressing a
few words to Monsieur, who drew aside as soon as the King
was announced.
Mademoiselle de la Valliere, like Montalais, was on Madame's
left, that is, the last but one on the line ; on her right was
Mademoiselle de Tonnay-(.'harente. She was placed, therefore,
like certain bodies of troops whose weakness is suspected, and
who are jilac'cd between two tried regiments.
Thus flanked by the two oimipwiions of her adventure. La
Valliere, whether she felt grief at Ilaoul's departure, or was
moved by the recent events which were beginning to make her
name familiar in the world of courtiers, — La Valliere, we re-
peat, liid her red eyes behind her fan, and seemed to pay great
attention to the wcn'ds which Montalais and Athenais alter-
nately whispered to her froni time to time.
^
^
I
W^
IP*!
298
THE vicoMTE hi: iutA(:i:[.(,.\.\i:.
iiicod, ,:i jreiHTiil iiiovpinent
Wlifii the Kin<,''s nuiiie \v;is
took phico in tlie aiiaitiiieiit.
Mailaiuo, as hostess, niso to re<'oiv.> her roval visit(ir. Imt iiot-
witlistaiKlin,;,' li.T preoccui.atinii ut min,!,' as sli.' r,,M' sli,.
Klanre,! hastily to h.-r ri-ht : lier -lancp, whicli the piTsuiin.-
tuoiis De (Jiuclie iiittTi.rcteci as hem- inteiidc,; for him, rosK'd
as It made the tour of tlie cireh- on La Valliere, whose l)Iush
and nervousness slie instantly perceived.
The Kin- entered the midst of the -n.ui.. whirh had heeom.-
a general one, by a movem ait whieh uaturallv took plaee I'rom
the eireumf.ren.e to the centre. Everv head' bowed before his
Majesty, the ladies ])eudin- like frail,' beautiful lilies befor-
Kiiii? Aijuilo.
His Majesty liad nothinj; severe, we inii,']!t evm sav notliin<'
royal, about hiiu that evening exeej.t his youth and good looks\
A certain air of joyoiisiie.^s and good humor awoke every
brain, and every one promised liim.se! f a delightful evenincr if
only from having seiMi his Majesty's desire to amuse hinh'elf
at Madame .s. It any one by his iovousness and good humor
could eijual the Kmg, it was M. .le Saint-Aignan, in liis rose-
colored costume, with face, riblxjus, and especiallv liis ideas all
rose.(...l,uc,l, and that luorning Saint-Aignan had had manv ideas
lliat which had given a new hhnm\ to all the idea.s' which
germinated m his fertile mind was that he had just seen that
Mademoiselle de Tonnay-t'harente was, like himself, dressed in
rose-oolor. AVe would not wish to sav, however, that the wily
courtier had not known beforeliaiid that the beautiful \tli
enais was to wear that color; for he well knew the art of
making a tailor or a lady's maid speak as to her mistress's
plans. He sent as many killing glances to Abuhunoiselle Ath-
enais as lie had bows of ribbon on his liose and doublet, — that
is, lie let fly an enormous number.
The King having paid liis compliments to Madame, and
Madame liaving asked him to be seated, the circle was imme-
diately formed. Louis asked .Afonsieur the news of the bathin-
and stated, lo.iking at the ladies, that some poets were en<'agtMl
in turning into verse the charming diversiun of the batlis of
\alvms, and that one of them partieularly, .M. Loret, seemed
to have received the conlidenee t,f a wat"er-nvmph, so much
trutn there was in Ids verses.
More tlian one lady felt she ought to blush.
The Kin; took advantage of this moment to look about at
SToIiV OF A XA/Al) AX I) OF A DIIYAI).
290
his ease. Montalais alone was not blushini,' too iimdi to look
at the Kill
am
I sh
aw him dcvuiir Madfiuoi.-
(le hi
\allit'ie with his glance
This hold maid of honiu- called La .Moutalais 1(
Kiu'' to lower his <'aze, thus savin'' Louise de la Valliere 1
the
lOlll
a sympathetic tire winch mlLcht possilily come to her irom that
,(,dauce. Lniiis was apjiropriated l)y ^Lidame. who overwhehiied
liim with iuquiries. and no ime in the world could iiuestion as
slit" could.
He tried, how(n-ei', to render the conversation j,'eneral. and
in order to succeed, he redoubled his wit ami attention.
Madame longed for comjiliinents, and deternuned to have them
at any cost: turning to the King, she said :
'• Sire, your Majesty, who knows everytlung which occurs in
your kingdom, ought to know in advance the vtu'ses told to M.
i-ort't by this nyni[)h. Will your .^hljesty share them with
us '.' '
'•Madame.'' replied the King with perfect grace, •• I dare
u.it — certainly you personally would be embarrassed at hear-
ing certain details. Rut Suiut-Aignau tells a stcny well and
remembers the lines perfecily ; if he does not remember them
he improvises them. 1 can certify that he isa full-fledged poet."
tSaint-Aignan. Ijrouglit forward, was constrained to sliow him-
self off to the V>est advantage. Unfortunately for Madame, how-
ever, he thought onl\ of his own jirivate affairs, so that, instead of
paying .Madame the com[ilimenls she enjoyed, he was intent on
showing himself off as nuudi as [)ossible in his good fortune.
He glanced therefore for the hundredth time at the beautiful
Athenais, who had been carrying ont iier theory of tlie [)revious
evening, that is, of not (h'igniiig to look at her adorer.
"Sire." said he. " your Majesty will surely pardon nie for
not having remembered very well the verses dictated to Loret
by the nymph ; but where the King has reni'Miibered nothing
what could I d<j '.' "
.Madame did not receive this failure of the courtier very
favorably.
"Ah, Madame,"' added Saint-.Vignan. " at present it is no
longer a (piestion as to what the water-nymphs say. Truly,
one would be tempted to believe that nothing of any interest
any longer happens in the li(piid realms. .\.h I it is \\\h)\\ the
earth. .Madame, that important events hr.ppcn. .Vh, .Mailame,
upou the earth how many stories full of — "
^
^
1
m
i-f 'fi
800
Tin: r/rn.\fTr: Df-: nii.\a/:fj)xxE.
(iood
an
I M;..!;
orirtli
U1H>
and wliat is takii
ai'e (III tlie
That must be asked (,f tin- d
" tliL' drvads iuhahit the forost.
rvail
rculicil the
I k
now, too, tliat tl
as voiir roval IIu
hue
.Saiiic-Ai'Miau.
ifv arc iiaturaliy i,'rcat talk
CIS,
COIlIlt
CllnW'S."
.M. dfc
"It IS true. .Madame, but whoi, they say onlv idcasaut thin-s.
It wmdd Ir.' uu,^r,ar,nus to accuse tlicui ot talkiu- too much •'
•'Do they say pleasant thiu-s •.'•' deuKunh-d the princess.
carelessly. •< iteally, M de Saint-.\i,MKU,. v„u e.xJite nv
c-uriosuy, a,jd were 1 the King I would re,,uire vou at ou.'e
to tel us the plea.saut thlUJ,^s the dryads .sav, sine,, vuu ahme
seem to understand their language."
"Ol., as to that, .Madame, Fain wholly at his .Maicstv's
orders, replied the count, (piickly-. ^
•■ He undcrstan.ls the lan-ua-e of dryads ?" said -Monsieur
'• How h,rtuiiate that Saint-Aignan i.-; ! "
•• [understand it as I do Fivneh, my lord."'
"Tell it to us, then," .said Madame.
Tlie King lelt eiubairassed ; his confidant was no doubt
about to emuirk m a .l.tHcult undertaking. He lelt this from
the general attumtion aroused by 8aint-Aiguan's preamble,
tv( ited, t,.o by .Madame's peculiar manner, The must discreet
seemed rea.ly to devour every word the count was about to
nttei. liieycouglied, they drew more closely together, thev
gla,u.ed sidew.se at .ertain mai.ls of honor, wiio. in order t"o
btar With greater modesty or steadiness the ln.pu..iri^e looks
arrange 1 ,hon- huis ami assumed the bearingof a dueilist about
to IM exposed to his adver.sary\s fire
In chose days the habit of ingenious conversations and
aangerou.s anec.lotes so prevailed that at a place where in a
modern .Irawing-room many would begin to suspect some
scandal, some disclosure, or tragedy, and would fie in .lismay,
.Madame s gue.sts settled themselves in their places in order not
to l„.se a word or gesture of the comedy comj.u.sed for their
loneht oy -M. de Saiut-Aignan, and the termination of which
proiX. "■ ' ''' ""^ ^''"'' '""■^^ "^" "^'^•^'^^'^>- '- i-'-f^^-tiy
The count was known for a polished man and a perfect
story-tel er. He therefore began bravely iu the nud.|[ of a
one else ''' '"'"''^'^ ^^^*'' ^^'^'^ i^nnidable for any
STOIiV OF A .V.I /.I/) .l.\7) OF A DHYAlK
3(»1
"Mii(l;une, thi' Kiiii,' permits hip, first, to address myself to
vour ro\;il
Hii:l
mess, since you admit yourself to be the i
Host
ii(]iiisitive person of \()ur eirele ; 1 shall tiierefore have tli
honor ot telhnf:^ your royal Highness that the drvad more par-
ticularly inhabits the hollows of oaks, and as dryads are beautiful
mytholojjjical ereatures, they inhabit the most beautiful trees,
that is, the largest they can find." St this exordium, which re-
ralled, under a transparent veil, the celebnited story of the
royal oak, whi(di had i)liiyed so important a part in the last
evening, so many hearts beat from joy or nervousness that if
Saint-Aignan hail not had a good and sonorous voice their
throbbing might liavj been lieard above his voice.
'• There must be dryads at Fontaineblcau. then,'' said
.Maihime, calndy, " for never in my life have I seen sueli beau-
tiful t)aks as in the royal park."
.\s she spoke she sent straiglit to De Guiche a glance of
wlii( ii he had no reason to complain, as he had had of tlie
iormer one, whi(di was comdied with a certain shade of vague-
ness very painful for so loving a heart as his.
" Precisely, Madame ; it is of Fontainebleau 1 was about to
speak to your royal Highness,"' said Saint-Aignan, '• for the
dryad in whose story we are interested lives in his Majesty's
chateau."
The affair was started; the action begun, neither listeners
nor narrator could draw back.
'• Let us hear it," said Madame, " for the story seems to nie
to have not only all the charm of a national incident, but still
HU)re (jf a recent occurrence.''
•• I must begin at the beginning," said the tount. " .\t Fon-
tainebleau, then, i 1 a cottage of beautiful appearance, live
some shepherds.
" One is the shepherd Tyrcis, to whom belongs the richest
estates, transmitted to him from his parents, 1 y inheritance.
Tyrcis is yoimg and handsome, and his many good qualities
make him the first shejiherd in the land."
A slight murmur of approbaticm encouraged the narrator, who
continued :
'• His strength equals his courage; no one has greater skill in
hunting wild beasts, no one more wisdom in the councils. When
he rides a horse over the beautiful j)lains he has inherited, or
when he joins in games of skill and strength with the shep-
heinls who obey him, one would say that the god Mars were
iiii
«(i:
THh: Vfctiurr />/: nn \<;i:/.n\\/:.
'^
hurliiij,' Ills laiico on flio |,l,uns of Thnuv. ..r, liftt.-r still, tliat
Apollo, til.' .,'0,1 of (lin, shon.' down upon tin- eui-th witli jiis
naiiiinj,' darts."
Everyone understood that this alloi,'oi'ical portn t of the Kiu"
was not, tlic worst cxonliuni tlio storv-tcllfr could liavo chosen^
consfvpi.Mitly the etiVct was h)st iieitli.T upon lliose pivsent
who eith.T IVoui duty or pleasure apphiuded it to tlie echo, or
on the kinj,' himself, to whom flattery when delicate was verv
pleasiii- and which was never disi-leasiu^' even when it was a
little too broad. Saint-Aignan continued :
" It is not only iu games of glory, ladies, that the shephenl
Tyreis acrpured this renown, which made him the kiic of
shepherds." '^
"Of the shepherds of Fontainehleau," said the Kin-, smil-
ingly, to Madame.
'' Oh,"' cried Madame," Fcmtainelijeau is arbitrarily chosen i.y
the poet, but I should say of the shepherds of the wliole world.'"'
The King forgot his role of i)assive listener and bowed.
*• It is,"' i)ursued Saint-Aignan, amidst a ilattering murmur.
''It is with ladies espe(ually that the good qualities of this
king of the shepherds show at their best. H.' is a shei)her<l
whose mind is as fine as his heart is pure; he can pay a com-
pliment with inimitable charm ; he knows how to love with a
discretion that ensures an enviable lot to his amialile and for-
tunate conquests. Never a word of disclosure; never an in-
stant of forgetfiilness. Whoever li;is seen and he:ird Tvivis
must love him ; whoeveL loves him and is loved bv him" has
found happiness."
Saint-.Vignan pauseil. He was enjoving the pleiisure (,f
making these compliments, and this i)o'rtrait, grotesquelv ex-
aggerated as it was, had f(mml such favor. ,>.speci;illy in certain
ears, that the good (pialities of tiie shepherd diil not .seem
overdrawn.
Madame begged the orator to continue.
'• Tyreis,'" said the count, •• had a taithful companion, or
rather a devoted subject, called — Amyntas.""
" Ah, now we sli;ill have the portrait of Amvntas,"' said
Madame, mischievously ; '• you are so good a painter, M. de
Saint-Aignan."'
" Madame — ''
"Oh, count, do not sacrifice this poor Amyntas, [ beg of
you. I should never forgive you."
I' iKisik
STORV OF A \.l/A/) AM) oy | /Hnwi).
:U):',
", Ma;|am.;. Amynta. is of tr,-, hiuubl,. a posiri,,,,, psnoruHy
bosHl.. lyrcis, tor l.is imtsou t ) ,1,s.mv.. Mu' lu.u,.,- „f a runnari-
son. 1 h,.n. an. (v,-r;uii friends, lik. Mu- s.-rv;ints ,.t ,.M,.„ tna..
^^•ho had themselves huned alive at the feet „f their a.asters'
I '•' I'l^i'- ot Ainy.itas is at the feet <.f Tviris. lie elaims i.u
other, aad it s,.Mielimes the illiistrious henj _ •"
•• niustru-iis shephenl, you nieaii;' said Madame, pi-eteiidia-
to e.in-eet M. de Saint- Ai-nau.
•• Vo„r royal Hij^diuess IS li.^'ht - I vvas mistaken,-' said the
H'Uftier. •• It I say, the shephenl Tyiris dei-ns sometimes to
'■ •^",V','^'rJ"' ^'■"''"^ ''"'^ ^" "I"'" '"-^ '"'I'-t t.. iiim. it is ,vi
auparalleled fav(.r whieh the latt..,' l•e,^^lrds as exeeedin- hi,..
imiess. "" '
•• All that,-' intei-n.pted Midamo, •• establishes the absolute
-l"v-otion of Amyntas to Tynus, bat does not give us the po,--
rait of Amyntas. Cunt, do not flatter him. if you do imt wish
but desenbe him to us. I udll have th.' portrait of Amvutas -
.^amt-Ai-nan, havm- bowed [.rofoumllv to his .Majesty's
sister-indaw, obeyed. '
"Amyntas," said he, •• is a little older than Tvrcis. He is
a shepherd n(,t wholly unfavored by Xafre; it' is even sanl
hat the Muses deigned to smile upon him .at his birlh as
llebe smiles upon youth. He has no ambition to .shine he
u-ants otily to be loved, and perhaps if he were well known
lie woula not be found wholly unworthy"
This 1 itter speeeh. stren.^'thene I by a kiilin- slance, was di-
reeted s ra.ght at .Ma l.moi>elle de Tonnay-Charente, ;ho bore
tlie shock unmoved.
But the modesty and the .deverness of the .allusion h.ad pro-
'wd a -:,ol etfeet. Amyntas received his reward in an-
l.lause, for whi.di Tyreis himself gave the signal by a km 1 v
Hod.
••Now,'- continued Saint-Aignan, •• Tyreis and Amyntas were
walking togc'ther one evening in the forest, talking ,jf their
disappointments m love. Note, ladies, that this is already the
st.,ry of the dryads ; otherwise we should know what was ,siid
',' '''V' ="/p -^"lyntas, the two most discreet shepherds in
lie wor d. ri.ey s,.ught the densest part of the forest in order
to be .alone, to talk more freely of their troubles, ^^hen sud-
denly the sound of voices reacdied their ears."'
" Ah : ;■ excdaimed those about tiie narrator ; " nothing could
i>e more mterestiHL'."' "^
!
'%'
F 1
:5u 1
THE v/i-ouii: /)/■: /{/m^/.v.o.v.v/.;.
If''
«^
At tliis [)()i!it Ml . line, like :i vi'^nlimt ^'(^ucimI ms|ifctiii.,' his
army, i^laiii't'd at .Mi)iitalais and I'Mmiay-CliaitMili', uho wt-r."
einhari-asscd liy Iut ^:ui\
" TliHS(! hariimninns voices/' rosiiiiiod Saint-. \iL,'iiaii, ■• wci-f
thuse of some shciilu-rdt'sses wlio li a 1 also dcsiii'd lo tMijo\ tin-
cool shade, and who. knowiii,' of this isolated and almost inac-
cessihhi place, had ^'one there to exchan^'e their ideas upon
sheepi'oMs."
A threat burst of lau^ditiT. caused liy these words of Saint-
Aiguaii, an almost im[)erceptil)le smile on the lae of the Kin,',
who was watchiiii,' Toniiav ('luucnte, were the residts of this
sally.
" The dryad,'" continued Saint-Ai:,'nan. •• states that the
shepherdesses were three in iiuinher, and that all three were
youii>..( and beautiful."'
'•Their names'.'"' asked Madame, tranquilly.
"Their names!" said Saint-.Vi^'iian. who hesitated befijre
(■ommittin;j; this indiscretion.
" Yes ; y(ju havecalleil your shepherds Tynds and Amvntas;
j,'ive names to your shepli"rilesses.""
" Oh, Madame I I am no inventor, no troubadour of the
olden times. I tell what the dryad could di/tate."'
" What did y<iur dryad call these shepherdesses? lleally.
you have a very trea(dierous memory. Had your drvad fallen
out with the ^luse Mneiiio.syne ? ""
" Madame, these shepherdesses — you must know that it is
a crime to reveal the names (jf women.""
" Vvom which a woiain absolves you, connt, on condition
that you give the names of these shepherdesses."'
"They wen; called Phyllis, Amaryllis, and (Jalatea."
"(JoodI They liave not lost by waitiiii^." said Madame.
" Those are three charminij names. Now their portraits."'
A.i^ain Saint-Aii^nan licnated.
" Yes, let us pr.)ceed in due form, f be;.,' of you, count," went
on >radame. '•Ou^jht we not. Sire, to have th»i portraits of
the shepherdesses?'"
The Kiuj?, who hail expected this insistence and who was
beginniuL,' to feel somewhat nervous, diil not deem it wise to
provoke so dangerous a (piestioner. lie thought, moreover,
that Saint- .Vig.ian in his description would find a way to insert
some delicate c ■ pliments which would ])lease the ears of one
who:iL his .Mijesi:y was anxious to charm. It was with this
roxn.r.^/ox or rni- sronv nr ., vi/.i/.. mo
lH.p<> as VV..11 as witl. tins fvur tlwit Lo.us a..thuri/,..,l S;u„t-
Ai„'Miiutusk..trI, tl... portraits ut th.- sl...,,l,or,lesses. I'lnlus
Aiiiarvllis, ami (i ilatra. >.>'">,
•■ WVll. tl,..,,, s„ 1,.. ,,,- said Saii.t-Aignan, l.k.- a n,ai. win,
■■ Ills 111111(1.
a. is made ii
And lie beguu.
CIIAI'TKR XXXVIir.
' ONTMs.OV Oh -n.K sn.KV ok a VAIAI. AVI. OK A I.KVAU.
'• I'Mvu.is." said Saiiit-Ai-riau, ,i,Mvii,;,r Montalais a defiant
-k suri, as a teiiru,i,M.,aster would jr.ve uIum, ask.l,^^ a rival
^".ll.y o lun. to ,.„t linuseli u.i Kuard. •• I'in Uis is neither
duk nor lair neithrr la.„'e nor small, neither C'Mve nor -mv •
shepherdess that she is, she is as eharmui. as a pnneess^nd'
as n..,uettish as an .nip. Her .si.d.t is excellent, evervihmL'
'lilt comes vv.thiuran.re of her vision her heart desii-es." She
IS like a bird whieh, always u■arblin,^^ now skims the LMonnd
ipv r.se.s riutte.-..,. .11 pa.snit of a bu.terdv. .low pe.rhe.s in
ic top .1 a t'-c;; whenee .t defies eve.y binlcatche.' either to
' "lue and take it or to lure it into their nets "
o tal US. who with steady ,^^ze and head ere,t, was listenim,
'tr u,./er '^•""^'■•^'""'^" '^^ ^•'"":-'''' '"' ^^ere speakin,^' ..f an ntter
'• Is that all, N[. de Saint-Ai-nan ?" asked the princess
"Oh, y.uu- ro.yal Hi.^^hness, this is only a .sketch. Many
more details conM be ,nven, bnt I fear to ta.K vonr Hi.dinesVs
patience or to wound the niode.sty of the shepherdess. '^I shall
nieieiore, pass on to her companion, Amaryllis."'
•• ^ OS," said Madame. '• I'ass on to Amarvllis, M. de Saiiit-
Ai-nan. W e will follow you.''
•• Amarylli.s is the eldest" of the three, and vet," Saint-AJ.rnan
iiaste„e,l to ad.l, '• her -reat a-e does not amount to twenty
\ 'MI'S. "^
MadeniOLselle de Tounay-Charente, who at the be-innin- of
nie story had frowned, now unbent her brows with a sli-dit
smile. "
" .Slus IS tall, with a quantity <;f hair which she arranges
,*'
V
'0^
..!^i
8(»ti
Tin: viroMii: jiic ni: \(ii:i.(issE.
Sit
m
in a kiini .ittfi tin' inamicr nf (iii't-k statiU's; licr ;,'ait is ma-
jestic, her iifanii.,' Iiail^'lity; siic lias, tlicivluic, tlic airnt a
^'•Midcss ratln'i ill, III liiat iif a miii|i1i' iiiDi-ial, and aiinui;,' tlic
•^'odijcsM's till' line >lic most re^cmliles is I )iaiia, llie limit less,
with tlil^ sole illtteiTlice : tlial tlie niiel slieplienless liavm;;
stolen oiic ilav the ([UlVei- of I.oSe while |)(Mir ( 'lipid was slee))-
iiiLj III a thicket of I'ox's, instead of vendue,' h,T arniws a'^Miii.st
the iiosts of the f.ire.^ts, ili.scliarL,'es llieiii |iitilessly a.,MiiHt all
jMKJi' shejiherds who |iass within raii;^'e of her ii.iw and lier
e\c>."
••Oh, the wicked slieiiherd<'ss!'' said Matlame ; •• sin will
intihahly some day wound herself with unt) of the arrows which
silt; is dischari^'iii;^' so pitilessly ri;,'ht and left !"
••Such is the hope of slieplierds in e-eueral," said Siint-
.Vi;,'iiaii.
••And that of Amyiitas in particular, is it not:'" aske.l
Madame.
•• The sliephenl Amyiitas is so timid," said Sai lit- A i Lilian, with
the most modest uir he could assume. '• that if he has such a
hope no one has ever known it, for he hi.les it in the depths of
hi.s heart.''
.\. most tlatterim,' murmur welcome, I this pnd'essioii of de-
votion oil the jiart, of the shepherd.
••And (ialalea'.'" asked .Madame. '• 1 am impalieiit to see
so skilful a hand take up thu portrait where Virgil left it and
linish it for us."
'• .Madamo," said Saiiit-Aiguan, " beside the great \'ergiliiis
.Maio your liiimhle servant is but a po(U- poet. However,
encouraged by your commands, I shall do my best.''
•• We are listening,'' said .Madame.
Saint-.Vigiuui extended las foot and hand, and began :
'• White as milk, as golden as are ears of corn, she shakes in
the air the perfume (d' her blond h ir. Then one wonders if
she is not beautiful Europa who awoke love in Jupiter when
she played with her companions among the flowering fields.
" In her eyes, as blue as a summer sky, shines a soft light ;
reverie nurtures it, hn'e dispenses it. 'Wheii she frowns or
beud:^ her looks on the ground the sun veils itself in token of
mouniiiig.
•' When she smiles, on the contrary, all Nature resumes her
joy, and the birds, silent for a time, recommence their soiiga iu
the midst of the trees.
i'<'.\i/.IS/ii\
<>i THi: srn/iy of i .v.i/.i/>. :^or
SIic." .s;ii,l S;iiiit-Ai''iiui).
Ill luinliisioii, •• is wurtliv til
"■;'■'• ''■■M'l;.V '_!i.- nM.> „| ul...,M ll.T ,„.u.l,Ml lov .„I..S,.n't,S 'o
iii.ikc u ■^•»i ]
•',, luMi-ni^'tlus ,l.-s.Ti|.t.„n. wln.h h;i,l hmi Inlnio,! m hv
;.1I. M:.a;um< r.nitei.t..,! 1„mm.1I l.y sl„.u-,„.r |„.r apiMuval uf tl.",.
.....St ,H,..tu- ,H.,ut l.y nu,Miu,' luT lu-a,!. l.,U „ u ., nnposs,!.],.
t..«jiy wlu-M.orth.^ marks of ass.M.t, wnv ,,mv..,. l,.,- ti.e .-d-mt v
"f 'Ii.' narrator or i.-r t!ip r.'sen.hiaiir,- ..f tii.. ourtrnl
I !.;• .."s..lt was that sin.o Madai.w ,li.l M,.t a,,|,la,M ..p.Milv. „-.
nn. ,.!so .l„l. not ev.i. Mon.Mcur, ul.o i„ his h.-art tho.m^ht'that,
Nun -Ar.niaa Mi too „n..h at h.„.Mh om ti,.. p..rtrai.s of th.
slH-i,h..ni..ss..s ami ,.ass..,i ovor too ,,ui,.kiv tln-se of iIh- sh.M.-
nnls IhowholeassnMh]ys....uM.,l,.lnil..,l. Saint-Ai.MKU., who
l..t. .'xhau.!,.,! us rhoforn- an.l his mat-rials in skot,.hu,.Mh..
i-t.M. ..f (.alatoa. an.l who. alt.>r tho favor whmh the other
. s,ni,t,o„s had re,.e,v..d, ha,l .xpectn] to h.-ar lou.l appiause
.M..t the last, was.'ohler even than the Kin.,' ami the rest of
I" o.mpany. 1 here was an instant's silenr... fimiUy broken
iiy Madame.
"Well Sire,'- she asked, •■ what does your Majestv sav to
these portraits .
The Kin^' wished to eomo to the aid of Saint-Ai^n.an with-
"Ut compromisiii..,' hiniself.
•• JVhy, in lay . , pinion Amaryllis is beautiful," said he
••1 pn-fer Phyllis,-' said Monsieur, -she is a -ood cirl or
lather a good fellow of a nymph/' " ^ '
Every one laughed.
This time the looks were so direct that .Montalais felt the
l>lood mount to her brow in vivid Hushes
-^ And/' resume.l Madame " these shepherdesses were sav-
I5.it Saint- Aignan, whose pride liad been hurt, was in no
f.. :.e of mind to su.sta.n an atta.'k by fresh ami rested troops.
Madame, said he, -'the shepl.erdesses were confiding to
one another their little preferences." """lug to
ooet^v'•'in"y^r''", ''^^'^'"^-•V'-"^^"' >•"'' ■'^'•P a river of pastoral
i'"etr\, said .Madame, with an amiable smile which somewhat
.omforted the story-teller. somewnat
it l'^^7 r? !f '^' *^''* ^"^"^ ^"•■^^ clanjerous, but that lack of
It was death to the heart. '
" So that they concluded — " said Madame
'P
i iM^
Bm
I hi: vkdmte de uragelowe.
'IrrT
^Se^-
" So that tlioy roiioliidod one ourrlit to lovp.'"
" Very good ! Did they impose iiny conditions V "
"That of (dioosiiig," said Saint-Aignan ; "I oni^dit even to
a(hl — it is t!ie dryad ulio is sjieaking — tliat on(> of the
sliephenU^sses, Amaryllis. 1 think, was ]iositi\ely opposed to liie
fact that one had to love, and yet she did not deny that she
liad let the image of a certain sliepherd touch her heart."
'• Auiyntas or T^-rcis '.' "
•• Aniyntas, Madame," said Saint-Aignan. i,:o(h'stly. •• l'>ut
immediately (Galatea, the gentle (ralateawith the pare eves,
replied that neither Amyntas, nor Ali)hesib(eus, nor Tilyrns,
nor any of the handsome; shepherds of the country, c(iuld be
compared to Tyrcis ; that Tyrcis put all laen in the shade, even
as the oak is superior in majesty to all other trees, as the lilv
to all other tlowers. She gave such a descuipiion of Tvrci's
that Tyrcis, who was listening, was really tiattered in spite of
his greatness. Thus in the same way Tyrcis and Amyntas
wen; honored by Amaryllis and (iulatea,
'■ Thus the secret of two liearts was revealed in the (l.> liuess
of the night, in the shade of the woods. That, M;, lame, is what
the dryad told me, slie who knows everything that takes
place in the hollows of the oaks and in the grassy dell.s ; she
knows the love affairs of the birds and what meaiiing to give
their songs ; she understand.s the language of the wind among
the branches, and the hum of the golden and emerald-hueil
insects in the corollas of the wild flowers; she told it to me,
and I repeat it."
" And now you have finished, have you not. M. de Saint-
Aignan ? '■ said >[a(hime, with a smile that made the King
tremble.
"Yes, Madame," replied Saint-Aigiian, "happy indeed if 1
have been able to divert your Highness for a slulrf time."
"Too short a time," replied the jjrincess, •< for you hav(>
repeated perfectly all that you knew; but, my dear M. de
Saint-Aignan, you were unfortunate enough 'o be informed
only by one dryad, were you not?"
" Yes, Madame, only by one, I admit."
" The result is that \,;u passed by a little naiad, who looked
as if she knew nothing, yet who knew more than your dryad,
my dear count."
"A naiad'.'" asked several, liegiuraug to wonder if the
story were to have a se(j[uel.
C0NCLU.-,IOX OF THE STURY OF .1 .V.l/.UA
-•iui)
" Ves ; beside the oak of which you spoke, anil which is
calledthe royal oak - at lea.st, I think su.h is its name, is it
not, M. (le Samt-Aignan — '.' "'
Sai_nt-Ai.!,Mian and the King excl^anged glances.
" Yes, .Madame," replied the former.
'•Well, there is a pretty little stream whi,.h runs ovci
pebbles in the midst of forget-me-nots and daffodils."
'• I tlnnk tliat you are right," said tlie King, stil! anxious
and listening attentively to his sister-in-law's every word
" <->h, Ihere IS one, I am sure of it," said .Madalnc,^' and the
l-roof of It IS that the naiad who reigns .n-cr this stream stopped
lue in tlie j)ath. ' '
■" Indeed: " said Saint-Aignan.
;• Ves," continued the princess, - and in order to tell me many
things which M. de Saint-Aignr.n di.l not put in his tale — " '
we'll " * ''^"''' ^■°''''^'"''" '^''^ Monsieur, -you do it s<.
The princess bowed at the compliment from her husband
" 1 have not the poetry of the count or his talent for brin-.
iiig out every detail." ^
" I5ut you will be heard with none the less interest," said the
Kiiig. who felt m advance something hostile in his sisier-in-
law 3 story.
" ^'V^^/ 'I'^:^^' "^e"'" '^nntiuued >radaine, '• in the name of that
poor little naiad wiio is by far tlie most charming demi-goddesff
I have ever met. Morever, she laughed so much during the
story she told me tliat in virtue of that medical axiom ' Laughter
IS contagious,- I beg your permission to laugh a little myself
when I recall her words." ^
The King and Saint-Aignan, who saw many of the faces
begin to brig iten with that hilarity just suggested by Madame,
ooked at each other, asking by their eyes if there were not some
littie conspiracy at the bottom of all this.
But Madame had resolved to twis and turn the knife in the
wound. 1 herefore she continued with her air of innocert can-
'lor, the most dangerous of all her artifices.
''So I went that way," she said, -and as I found under my
leet many fresh, newly-opened flowers, no doubt Phylli.s, Ama-
r.vllis, Gaatea, and all of your shepherdesses had passed over
the path bef.MC me."
The King bit his lips. The story was becoming more and
more threatening.
310
THE VKUjMTI: J.-. BllAOELuyXE
■<
'■My naiad,' coiitiiiued Madaini', "v. .is cooiug lier little
song()u tiie bed of her stream; when 1 saw that she was at-
tractiui,' my attention by touching the hem of my robe, 1 could
not tliink of receiving her ungraciously, — sinVc after all a
divinity, even though slie be of second rank, is always of
greater importance than a mortal j.rincess, -■ so I accosted the
naiad, and tliis is what she told me amid bursts of laughter :
•■•Imagine, princess,' — you understand, Sire, that it is the
naiad who is speaking ■.""
The King gave a sign of assent. Madame continued :
" ' Imagine, princess, tiie banks of my stream have just wit-
nessed a most amusing sight. Two 'in(iiiisitive shepherds,
inquisitive to the point of indiscretion, allowed themselves to
be mystiHe.l in the most delightful manner by three nymphs,
(jr shepherdesses."
" I beg your pardon, but I do not remember whether she said
nymphs or shepherdesses. It does not matter, does it '.' so we
will continue."'
At this preamble the King colored visibly, and Saint-Aignan,
completely upset, began to look about anxiously.
" ' The two shei)lierds,' continued my little naiad, still laugh-
ing, •' followed the three young ladies.'' X(>, I mean the three
nymphs; forgive me, I am mistaken, the three shepherdesses.
Ihat is not always wise, for it may trouble those who are fol-
lowed. I appeal to all these ladies, and not one of them will
contradict me, I am sure.""
Tne King, very an.vious as to wln.t might follow, assented
with a ge.sture.
^ " 'But,' continued the naiad, ' the shepherdesses had seen
Tyrcis and Ainyntas enter the wood, and bv the helj) of the
mcjou they had recognized them through tin; trees.' Ah, you
laugh,'" interrupted Madame, "but wait, you have not yet
reached the ?nd."'
The King grew pale. Saint-Aignan wiped his forehead,
wliich was damp with perspiration.
Among the grouj)s of women there were some stifled bursts
of laughter and furtive whisperings.
'"The shepherdesses, I say, seeing the indiscretion of the
two shepherds, seated themselves at the foot of the royal oak,
and wlien they were sure that their nuliscreet eavesdroppers
were near enough not to lose a word of what they were about
to say, they made them in the most innocent nianner in the
CO.VC'/.r^/O.V OF THE STORY' OF A NAIAD. 311
world a burning declaration of love, which, in tl(^ vanity natu
ral to all men, even to the most sentimental slipphenls. seemec'
to tlie listeners as sweet as honey.'"'
At these words, which the guests could not hear witliout
huighter, there darted from the King's eyes a Hash as of light-
ning. Saint-Aignan dropped his head, and with a bitter burst
(if laughter gave vent to tlie rage which lie felt.
" Oh," said the King, rising to his full heigiit, " on my word,
that is a charming jest, and told by you, Madame, in no less
charming a manner. Hut did you really and truly understand
the language of the naiads ? "'
" But the count pretends that he understood that of the
dryads,"' said Madame, quickly.
" Xo doubt," said the King, " but you know the count has the
weakness to aspire to the academy, so that with this end in view
he has learned all sorts of things of which happily you are
ignorant ; and it might be possible that the language' of the
Nymph of the Waters might be one of the things which you
have not studied."
" You understand, Sire," replied Madame, " that for such facts
one does not rely wholly upon one's self. A woman's ear is not
infallible, Saint Augustine .said ; therefore I wished to enlighten
myself by other opinions than my own, and since my naiad, who
in her character of godless is poU'glot, — that is what it is
called, is it not, M. de Saint- .Vignan — ? '"
" Yes, Madame," said the latter, completely overcome.
" And,"' continued the princess, " since my naiad, who in her
character of goddess is polyglot, had first" spoken to me in
English, I feared, as you say, that I might have misunderstood;
so I sent for Mesdemoiselles de Montalais, de Tonnay-( Uiarente,
and de la Valliere, begging my naiad to repeat to me in French
the story she had already told me in English."'
" And did she do so ? " asked the King.
"Oh, she is the most obliging goddess in the world. Yes,
Sire, she did so, so that there was no further doubt. Mesdem-
oi.selles," said the princess, turning to tlie left of her army,
" did not the naiad speak exactly as I have said ? And have'l
misstated at any point? Phyllis, — pardon, I am mistaken
— Mademoiselle Aure de Montalais, is it true '.' "
" Absolutely, Madame," said Madcraoiscdle de Montalais.
distinctly.
" Is it true. Mademoiselle de Tonnay-Charente ? "'
312
/•///•; VI COM IE I)i: BRAGELOXXi:.
■«ll
'• Perfectly !•' replied Atheiuiis, iii a voice none the less Hrin
tlu)ii;,'h less distinct.
" And yon. La Valliere ?" asked Madame.
The poor -ill lelt the i,assio„ate look .d' the Ki-- u,,,,,,
her. She dare.l not coiiti-adict, .she dare,! not lie ; she bent her
head in token of assent, lint her head was not raised a-ain
de It h ''"'*'" '^"^ ^'''^ ''''^■'' ^'^' '^ ""'"'^ "'"'"*' ^'"'^'"'"^ ^''"" ^'''^"^ "^
This triple evidence crushed the Kin- Saint- \i-nan did
not even try to liide liis despair, and without knowinLTwhat he
.said staniiiiered out :
" An excellent jest ! Well plaved, sheplierdesses ' "
" A just punishment for curiosity." .said the Kin- in a harsh
voice. -'Oh after the chastisement oi Tyivis and Ainvntas
who uo.ild think of trying to find out what goes on in the
hearts ..f .shepherdes.ses ';' Certainly I shouhl not. And you
gentlemen ■.' ' •' '
" Xor 1 : Xor 1 ! " repeated in diorus the group of cour-
Madame was triuinpliant at the Kings anger; she was
delighted to think that her story had been or would be the end
OI It (ill.
Monsieur, who had laughed at the double tale without
understaiuhng any of it, turned to I)e Guiche •
'•Well count," said he, "you are not speaking. Have
you nothing to say.' Are you sorry for Tyrcis and
Ainyntas /
" \ pity them from the depths of my soul," replied De
(xuiche; -'form truth, love is so sweet a fancy that to lose it.
fancy though it be, is to lose more than life". If therefore
these two shephenls thouglit themselves loved ; if, then, because'
of taat they wore happy; and if instea^l of this happiness they
liave to face not only a deathlike void, but iests at love, which
are worse than a hundred thousand death,s - well, I say that
know " '"'"^ ■^'"^■"*=^s ^""^ the two most unhappy men that I
-And you are right, M. de Guiclie," said the King, " for
death is a lugh price to pay for a little curiosity •'
" That IS saying, then, tiiat the .story of my^iaiad has di.s-
pleased the King '.' ' aske.l Madame, innocentfy.
•• .Nay Madanie. undeceive yourself," said Lniis, taking the
princess by the hand; -your naiad has pleased me much more
ROYAL I'syriioLoav.
;il3
because she was truthful, and because her story, I ou^'Iit to aiM,
is supported by uniinpeacliablo witnesses."'
These words fell ou La Valliere with a glance which no one
from Socrates to Montai^Mie cuuld have defined.
The glance and the words were the last straw to the wretched
girl, who, leaning against Montahiis' shoulder, seemed to have
lost consciousness.
The King arose without noticing an in<'ident to which for that
matter no one else paid any attention : and contrarv to his
custom, for usually he remained late at Madame's, he took his
leave and returned to hs own rooms.
Saint-Aignau followed him as despairing on his departure
as he had been joyous on his arrival.
Mademoiselle de Tonnav-i'harente, less sensitive to emotions
than La Valliere, was not frighten(;d and did nut faint; but
Saint-Aignan's last look had not been as majestic as that of the
King.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
ROYAL PSYCHOLOGY.
The King entered las apartments with hurried ste^^s. Per-
haps he walked so quickly in order to keep from tottering.
He left behind him the trace of a mysterious gloom.
That gayety which every one had noticed on his arrival, and
at which every one had rejoiced, had not, perhaps, been under-
stood in its full signiticance; but his stormy departure, his
agitated countenance, every one understood or at least thought
lie understood.
Madame's levity, her jokes somewhat too pointed feu- so
sensitive a disposition and especially for the King's, the too
great resemblance, doubtless, of this King to an ordinary man,
such were the reasons to which those present assigned the hur-
ried departure of Louis XIV.
Madame, niore clear-sighted in other respects, at first saw
nothing in this. It was enough for her that she had inflicted
some little wound to the pride of one who, forgetting so soon
the engagements he had contracted, seemed with no apparert
cause to disdain the noblest and most illustrious conquests.
.t^-
f'lfli
3
m
314
77//; Vrro^'ifTE HE BltAaELOXN E.
s"
^\\
It was not an umiiii.ortaiit matter for Madame iimler exist-
inj,' .■nvi.mstaii.-.'s t.. let the Ki.i- see the .lifferem'e between
oviM- one ot hi-h rank an.l pursuin- a faneie.l h.ve as a voiith
ironi the provinces Miit,'ht do.
Heali/in- the di-nity and power of a love for one of noble
birth, acknowlcl-in- m it a c-ertaiu eti(piette and eonvention-
aiity, a km- did not only not act in a derogatory manner, but
even found therein repose, security, mvsterv,^ and -eneral
respect. " '
III the (lcl.a.senicnt of a common love, on the contrary, he
would encounter even amon-st his hund)lest subjects irony and
sarcas.n : he would lose his reputation for in'fallibilitv and
inviolability. Havin- descend<.<l to the re-ion of petty human
miseri.'s, he would be subjected to petty annoyances.
Ill :. >vord, to make of the royal divinity a simple mortal bv
ndicuhim' him where his heart was concerne.l, or even liis
face, like the lowest of his subjects, was to strike a terrible
blmv at the prid." of that -enerous nature. Louis was always
111 iueuced more by pride than by love. Madame had wisely
calculated her revenge, and, as has been .seen, she had carried
It out successfully.
However, let no one believe that .Madame possessed the ter-
rible passions of the heroines of the Middle .Vges, and that .she
saw things under a .sombre asi)ect. On the contrarv, youn-
gracious, witty, co.piettisli, loving, _ tliough rather" from
lancy, imagination, or ambition than from lier heart,— Madame
inaugurated that epoch of light, fleeting amusements which dis-
tinguishe.l the liundred and twenty years between the middle
of the seventeenth century and the la.st quarter of the
eighteenth.
Madame saw, therefore, or thouglit she saw things under
their true aspect ; she knew that the King, her august brother-
in-law, liad been the Hrst to laugh at the humble La Valliere
and that according to his custom it was not probable that he
^vould love one at whom he could laugh, even for an instant
Moreover, was it not a question of pride, that evil demon
wlucti plays so important a part in that comedy called the life
of a woman'.' Did not that pride say to her 'aloud, in a low
tt.ne, in a whisper, in every possible tone, that she, a i)rineess
young beautiful, and rich, could not be comj-arcd to the poor
La \alliere, as young as she, it is true, but far less beautiful
iMid without wealth ? And this would not be surprising on
H YA L PS YClKiL OG Y.
31o
thp part of Madame. The greatest characters, it is known,
rire those who flatter tlieinselves tlie most in tlip comparisons
they draw between themselves and cithers, between others and
themselves.
I'erhaps it will be asked what Madame hoped to accom-
plish by this so cleverly planned attack '.'
Why snch a disi)lay of forces if it were not a ipiestion of
completely dislodging,' the Kim,' from a heart wholly new, in
wiiich he counted on taking refuge '.' Had Madame, then, an}
need to attach so great importance to La N'allicre unless she
feared her '!
No, Madame did not fear La Valliere from the i)oint of view
from which a liistoiian who knows everything sees the future,
or rather the past. Madame was neither a prophetess nor a
sibyl. Madame could not read more than another in that ter-
rible and fatal book of the future, which guards within its
secret ])ages the most serious events.
Xo, Madame wished purely and sin)}ily to imnish the King
for having played the spy in the most feminine way ; she
wished to prove elearly to him that if he used I hat kind of
otfei. ive arms she, a woman of intelligence and jmsition, would
certainly find in the arsenal of her imaginatiou defensive weap-
ons proof even against the thrusts of a monarch.
Moreover, she wished to show him that in that sort of war-
fare it was no longer a (piestion of kings, or at least that kings
iigiiting on their own account, like ordinary mortals, may see
their crowns fall at the first shock ; that if, trusting to his
appearance alone, he had hoped to be adored from the very
first by every woman of his court, it was a pretension human,
to be sure, but absurd aud insulting for those who held a high
[Kisition, and that a lesson taught in .season to this too proud
and haughty royal personage would be efficacious.
Such indeed were Madame's reflections in regard to the King.
The issue of the event was not touched npon.
Thus it will be seen that she had influenced the minds nf her
maids of honor, and had prei)ared in every detail the <•< mcdy
jiist played.
The King was completely bewildered by it. Since he had
►■scaped from ^L de Mazarin he found himself for tiie flrst time
treated like a man. Such severity on the part of any of his
subjects would have met with resistance. Power comes through
struggles.
it
II
7; •-:«.. ',
a
<
3i(;
7'//ft' VICOMTE im BRAGELOSNE.
But to attack wcnioii, t.. bo attacked l.y them, to have been
iniixwd uiMm i,y liule couiitry jrirls, cnu- tn.m Hlois f.-r tlial
very i,urp.,se, was tl^e depths ot .lis-race f,.r a youi.- kin-
nil ot the pn.h^ inspircl both by his personal advantages and
nis loyal power.
Tliere was iiotliing to be done ; neitlier reproiudies nor exile •
not even sulks. To sulk would have been to admit that he had'
been touched, like Hamlet, by a buttonless foil, the swor.l .d
ridicule. To sulk with women ! What humiliation, esueciallv
wlu'ii the women have jested in reveice !
If, instead (d- leaving all the responsibility to w.men, some
courtier ha. been involved in the intrigue,''how gladlv w.,uld
J.ouis .\1\ . liave seized the opportunitv to u.se the Bastille
But there again the royal wrath was checked by rea,son To
have an army, prisons, almost divine power, and to use all in
tlie carrying out of a miserable gru.lge would be unworlhv not
only ot a incmarch, but even of a man.
It was a question, therefore, of simply swallowing the affront
m silence and ot wearing on liis countenance the saine -naeiou.s-
ness, the same urbanity. It was a question of treating Madame
asair.en.L A friend.' Vet why nut '' Either Madame had
been the instigator of the affair or the afiair had found her
passive. It she had been the instigator it waa very bold in her
Vet was It not lier natural role?
Who had sought lier in the sweetest moments of her honey-
moon to speak to her the language of love ? Who had dared
to calculate the (diauces oi breaking a marriage vow, even
wiien that vow involved the nearest relatives ? Who shielded
b3- his royal authority, had said to the young woman, " Fear
nothing. Love the King of France, lie is above all, and a move-
iiieiit ot his sceptred arm will protect you from everything
even from remorse." *'
So the young woman had obeyed the royal voice, had yielde.l
to the seductive tones, and now that she had made a moral
sacrifice of her honor she saw herself repaid for this sacrifice
by an inhdelity the more humiliating in that it was caused by
a woman far inferior to her who had at first believed herself
loved.
Had Madame therefore, been the instigator of the revenge,
she would have been riglit. ^
If, on tlie •■ontrary, she ha.l remained passive throughout the
affair, what cause had the King to be angry with her ? Was
i
ROYAL rsyciKtLOi.Y.
ui;
It for her to restniiii or could sho ivstraiii the chattciin.' of
rouiitry girls ? Was it for lier. by an ("x.-css of misinterpreted
zeal, to clieck at the risk of iiiteiisifving it the iiiu)ertiiieiice of
these tluee girls ?
All these eoncliisioiis were lik(> so iiiauv actual stings to the
King's i)ride; hut when he had carefullv^'one over itriiis o.vn
iniiid ail the grounds of complaint, Louis XIV. was surprised
upon due reflection —that is, after the wound had been
.Iressed — to feel other wounds dull, unendurable, unreveaU'd.
He dared not confess to himself that this acute pain hail its
seat m his heart and — in fact, the historian must admit to the
readers, as the King admitted to himself — that he had let his
heart be gratified by La \'alli.~-re's innocent declaration ; he hud
believed m pure love, — a love for 'Louis the man, a love free
tn.m all selt-mterest, — and his heart, younger and fresher
than he had supposed, had opened to that otlier heart which
had just revealed its asi)irations.
The most ordinary thing in the complex liistorv of love is
tiio double inoculation of love in two hearts; it is not so much
a simultaneous event as it is e(iual in intensity. Almost alwavs
one loves before the other, as almost alwavs one stops lovilig
bi'fore the other. So the electric current i.s established in pro"
l"Ution to the intensity of the passion first kindled. The
more i[ademoiselle de ia N'alliere had shown her affection the
more the King had respcmded to it.
And this was just what surprised the King.
For it was clearly demonstrated to him that no sympathetic
current had carried away his heart, since this avowal had not
i)cen of love, since this avowal was onlv an insult to the man
and to the King, since in short it was — and the word burnt
like a hot iron — nothing but a hoax.
Tiiis girl, therefore, who strictly speaking liad been refused
everytiung, beauty, birth, intelligence, this girl chosen bv
Madanu' herself because of her humble position, had not only
interested the King, but more, had disdained him. him, a man
who, like a sultan of Asia, had but to glance, to extend his
liand, to let fall his handkerchief.
And since the jjievious evening he had been .so absorbed
uith this girl that he had done nothing but think of her,
dream of her; since the previous evening his imagin.tdon had'
iiinuseil itself by clothing her image with every charm she did
not possess. He, in short, whom such iinportant atfairs
I
31H
77/ a; vicomti-: di: i:i:.\<;i:u>\.\e.
Ili
m^
»^'■>'S.•- ■
claimod, wlim,, so many women calL-d, l.r mi,,,. t|„. iM,.vi(,us
ev.-mii- liiid .ni,M'.T;in.,l ev.'iy mom.-nt ot lii^j 1,1,.. ..vmy tlirob
of Ins litMil to this one (lr,'am.
It was iiidt'ed too miicli or too little
Tiio iiidi-iiatioi, .,r the Kiii^' makiii- Kim fun,'et cv.Tvthin.'
aiiK.!,- others that Suiiit-A i-uaii was theie, was i-ound out
in the most violent imjirecalions.
It is true that Sanit-Ai,i;iiaii had taken lefii-e ,„ a corner
whence he watclied the tempest pass hy. His own .lisappoint-
ment seemed to liim paltry m comparison with the royal
anger. He compared with his own petty i-ride the -r.'at pri.'le
ut tliO otten.led Kin-, and knowing the hearts ot kin>'s ia
general and th<.se uf powrful kings in particidar, he wondered
It tins weight of anger, suspended as yet, would not soon
descend on him for the very reason that others were guilty
and he innocenL "^
In fact, the King did suddenly stop in his liasty walk, and
hxing an angry look on Saint-Aignan exclaimed :
" And you, Saint-Aignan '.' "
Saint-Aignan made a sign which .signified •
" Well, Sire ? "
" Yes, you have been as silly as I, have you not?"
" Sire — " slainmered Saint-Aignan.
" y^^u let yourself be fooled by that shameful trick !"
" Sire," sai(l Saint-Aignan, who was beginning to tremble in
every limb, " do not let your Majesty become angry Women
you know, are faulty creatures, made for evil ; so to expect
anything good of them is to ask the impossible."
The King, who had great respect for himself and who was
beginning to actpiire that j)ower over his emotions which he
preserved all his life, felt that lie was doing himself an in-
justice by showing so inucli animosity about so tritlin-r a
matter. ' '^
" No,' said he. hastily, '• no, you are mistaketi, Saint-Aignan,
1 am not angry; I only wonder that we could have been duped
with so much cleverness and audacity bv those two youn- -iris
I womler, especially, that although 'we might have infi)rme,i
ourselves on the snbjec't, we were f.jolish enough to trust to
our own hearts."
" The heart, Sire, is an organ which it is absolutely neces-
sary to ccmhne to its physi.-al functions, and which it is neces-
sary to deprive of all other functions. I confess that, so far
IIOYM. I'SY< llDLijfiY. 819
as I atii rfmcprneil, wlicii I saw your M.ij. -sty's h.-art s.) tak.'ii
Mp with tliis littlt! — "
" Tak.-ii up ! 1 ! My heart taken iq. ! >[v iniml, porliaps ;
hut as for luy lieart it was — "'
Louis again percencl that in onh'r to coiicfai one w(juiiil ho
was aht)ut to reveal aiiotlier.
•• I'.esides," he achled, " I have uotliiii^,' witli wliich to le-
piT.aeli tlie girl. I knew very well that she was in h.v.; with
some one else."
••The Viconite do KiMKeloune, yes; 1 had told your .Maiestv
of it." ' :i i 3
•' Ves, but you were not the first. TIk; Conite de la Fi-ro
had asked the hand of .Mademoiselle de la Valliere for his son.
Well, on his return from England they shall he niarrie.l, sinie
they love each other.'"
" I recognize in that all your Majesty's generosity."
"So. Saint-.\ignan, we will not think anv longer of this."
" Ves, we will swallow the affront, Sin","'rei.lied the courtier,
with resignjition.
'• Moreover, it will be an easy thing,'" said tlie King, repress-
ing a sigh.
'• And in order to begin, I — " said Saint-Aignan.
" Well '.' "
" Well, I shall make some good epigram about the two. I
will call it 'The Naiad and Dryad." That will please
Madame."
" Do .so, Saint-.Vignan, do so," murmured the King. •■ Vou
shall read me your verses, they will amuse me. Ah, never
mind, never mind, Saint-Aignan,"" added the King, like a man
l)reathing with ditHculty. " To bear the blow "with dignity
requires superhuman strength."
As the King finished speaking and assumed an air of most
angelic patience a servant knocked upon the door.
Saint-Aignan drew back respectfully.
" Enter," said the King.
A lackey partly opened the door.
" What is it '.^ " demanded Louis.
The man held out a thretscornered note.
" For your Majesty,'" said he.
" From whom ? '"
" I do not know. It was given me by one of the officers on
duty."
■m
w
f
820
77//; VICOMTK 1,1. lii: [Ul.l.n.wr..
wr, J-, -
N
; :.*|
Itil
1H
ii-
IS
i
'*^l
Tl.o Kin>,' „u,.ie 11 K'stur.. ; tl.o viil.-t hun-i.-.i hin, tl... nr.te
Ix.ms .lr.nv luMier tl... .•;in,ll,.s, ^i.^-m.-.I H,.- i of, r,.;ul tho
BiKiia.Mir, and iittcnMl a .TV.
SaiMt-Ai-uaM was r..s[,o,.t"t„l ..i.-.i.;;!, r...t t.. Lav I.e..,. l.M.kin.-
but n,.v.MtlH.l..s.. l,e ,a.l seen an.l heanl. He n„w ran torwanl.
llie Km>,' witli iM.itli.T f,rostiii.' .lisinisscl M,,. valet
" Heavpi.s ! •' sai.l the Kin-, as he iva.l the nut,. "
"Is v,.ur Marsty ill V " aske.l SaiMt-A.,^MKu,. extetulin- his
arms.
nute^^'"' ""' ''^^''"^■•■^'""='"- '^'''"'•" =^"«1 ''e I'anded hua the
."^aiiit- Airman l.xiked at the si,t,'iiatiiie.
" La \'alli.''re .' "' he oxclaiiiied. "Oh Sire ' "
" Read : Head .' "'
All.: '".viiit-Aigiiaii read.
" ^'^'■>:- f'>'yi>''' nn, l,„i,ort„n;f,/. Fonjirr nl,o thr JarJc of
formal it,, vhich ma,, he in this hit.;-. A „nt.. ,svv„/. to m,-
mar.- sj„;;i,, a n,l ,„.„;■ unj.nt than a mr,sa,,.: / rrrfurr
thvrep,,;; to s,',„l a not,- to ,,our Majrst,,. I ha,: ntarn,;! tl
mij rooms, o,'er,-om. with 'jri,-/ an,l f„ti,,,i,; Si,;; a,„l f i,,,,,!,,,-,'
Uoar Ma,,.stj,thr_fa,-or,jf an a a,li,^n,;- in ivhh'h [nun, h!' ah(e
to te.U mij Kinij the truth.
"Signed: LoviSE DE i.i V.xu.ihiE."
"Well," said the King, taking the lettor from th^ hands of
Saint-Aignan, who was completely overcome by what he had
just read.
<' Well •. ' repeated .'•'aiiit-Aignan.
" What do yon think it it ? "
" I scarcely know.'"
" \\\\\ give me an idea."
" Sire, th.^ girl must have heard the roar of the thunder and
IS trightened.
'• Frigiitene.l at what?" asked Louis, with dignity
" Uhy, Sire, yonr Majesty has a thousand causes for anger
at the author or authors of such a malicious j(,ke. \nd your
Majesty's memory if arouse.l .lisagiceahly might be aii eternal
menace to the imiirudcnt girl."
"Saint-Aignaii. I do not think as voii do."
" The King should see more clearly than L"
UoYM. rs)f /(<)/,
(><i Y.
321
" WoU, 1 .s»'f> ill tlit'so lines
thiit I recall ceitiiiti tietuiis of tl
t'veiiiii),' lit Maduiiif's — '
grief ami
le scene wliicli l(
ciinslramt, ami now
liicli look |ilace tliis
TIic Km;,' sto|.|i(M|, leaving Ins M'nien-e uiitinislied.
'• Well," said Saint-Ai-naii, "yonr Majesty will grant an
audience. Notliiiii,' is (dearer tlian that."'
•• I siiail ilo better, Saint Aignan."
" What, Sire'.'"
" Take yoiir ( louk."'
'■ Hilt, Sire—"
" i>o yon know tlie room of Madame's maids of lionor .'"
'M'erfainjy."
'• Do yon know how to gam admittance '/ "
'• So far as that is concerned I do not."
" Mnt yon must know some one there "'
" Ueally, your .Majesty is the .source of every good idea."
'• Von do know some one '.' "
" 1 es.
" Whom do yon know '.' Come."'
*' I know a certain gentleman who is on very good terui,-,
with a certain lady."'
" A maid of honor '.' "
" Ves, Sire."
" Tonnay-Charente ? " asked Lonis, laughing.
" No, unfortunately ; Montalais."
" What is his name '.' "
" Malicorne."
"(Juod. And can you rely on him ?"
" I think so, Sire. He must have a key of some sort. And
if lie has one, since I have done him a service, he will lend it
to me."'
•• Excellent. Let us go."
'• I am at your Majesty's orders."
The King threw his own cloak over Saint-Aignan's shoulders
:'nd asked for his in return. Then both stepped into the vesti
bule.
i^
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Vol. 11. — 21
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THE VICOMTE DE BRAGELONNE.
PART IV.
CHAPTEK XL.
WHAT XEITItKK NAIAD SOU DRVAI) FORESAW.
Sain-t-Aioxan- .stopi.ecl at tl.e foot of the stairway which
a... to the tif.t Hoor, uheie were .A 'anie's apartments.
Ihen, hrough a va'et who was passing, he .sent for Mali-
m-ue who was .still with Monsieur. At the en,l of en
■mnute ^ralR•orne arrive-I with head erect, trying in the
darkness to discover what was on hand. The Kin.^ s enned
l)ack into the darkest part of the vestibule. ° ^^
•Saint-Aignan, on the contrary, advanced.
aenlj'd'rew'L'k"* ""'''' '"'"'''^^ '"^ '''''''' ''^^^^^"'•- -'^-
"Oh! oh!" said he, "you ask for admission into tho
rooms of the maids of honor •'' •'
" Ves."
your^oh.lecf."'^ ^^^^ ^ '''""''^ "^^ '"'^ ''' ^^"'^ ^"'^^^"^ ^^""^^>»g
'•Unfortunately, ,uy dear M. Malicorne, it is impossible for
ne to g,ve any explanation ; you will have to trust me as a
nend who yesterday got you out of ''iKcuIty and win, today
I'cgs you to help him out of one.'' ^
r di!^n I *"''I {"'' ^^^^ ^ '''*"'^'-' ■"o»«'««'-, which wa.s that
di.l not wish to sleep out in the open air, and any honest
".an might express such a desire; whilL you admit nothing"
Heueve me, my dear M. Malicorne," insisted Saint- Aignan
do so!" '^''' ^'''''^^' ^"' '"" *° "^P^*^" ^ '^'^''^^ ^«^^i^iy
823
i
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m
"^^
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324
Tin: VlcoMTr: DE liHAd 11 1.OX.S E
-irz )V ;
In that case, my dear iiiousitMir, I caiiiiot allow you to
enter Mademoiselle de Montalais's ai)artment "'
" Why •.' '•
" Vou ought to know hotter than auv one els.>, since vou
caught me on the wall paying attention to Mademoiselle^ de
Montalais; it would therefore be kind in lue under such cir-
cumstances, you will admit, to open the door of her room to
yon.'"
" Who told you that it was on her account that I asked vou
for the key '.' "
" On whose, then '.' "'
" She does not room alone, it seems to me; does she ? *'
" No, certainly not.''
" She rooms witl Mademoiselle de la Valliere ■.' '"
" 'i cs ; but as a matter of fact, you have no more to do with
Mademoiselle de la Valliere than with Mademoiselle de Monta-
lais. There are only two men to whom 1 would give this kev :
one is M. de Bragelonne, if he askeil me for it; the other is the
King, if he ordered me to do so."
" Well, give me the key, then, monsieur, I command yon,""
said the King, stepping out from the darkness and jiartly
opening his cloak. " Mademoiselle de .Montalais shall come
down to you while we go upstairs to Mademoiselle de la Val-
liere ; for as a matter of fact she is the only one we wish to see.''
" The King ! " exclaimed Malicorne, bo'wing to the ground.
" Yes, the King,'" said Louis, smiling, " the King, who is as
plea.sed with your resistance as with your capitulation. Rise,
monsieur, and render us the .service we ask of you."'
" Sue, at your orders."" said Malicorne, a.scendiiig tlie stairs
"Get Mademoiselle de Montalais to come down," said the
King, " and say nothing to her of my visit."'
Malicorne bowed in token of obedience, and went on up
the stairs. '
Bnt after a hasty reflection the King followed hini, and with
such rapidity that although MalL-orne was alieadv some dis-
tance ahead Louis reached the room at the same moment
He then saw through the door, which Malictorne had left half
open behind him. La Valliere. leaning back in an armchair,
and in the other corner Montalais. who in a dressing-gown was
standing before a long mirror coud)ing her hair amU'alkin" to
IVIalicorne. °
The King hurriedly opened the door and entered.
NEITHER NAIAD Non DRYAD FORE
SA W. 325
Montalais i-avo a cry at tlie noise made by tlie ,l„or and
morrnizin- tl.e Kin- flod. ^ ' '
At sight uf Louis, La Valiie.v rose ]ii<,. a dead person who
iKi; been galvani/ed, a.nl then fell back in her chair
the Jvuii,' advj-need sh)\vly.
'• Von wish for an audienee, mademoiselle/' said he, coldly • " I
am ready to hear you. Speak." ^
Faithful to his character of being .leaf, blind, an.l dumb
Sa.nt-.Vignan had stationed himself in a coA.o, ne u- the d or
upon a stool which he chanced to tin<l at hand
Screened by the tapestry which served as a curtain and
loaning against the wall, he coul.l hear without bJi.r;ee
so he resigned umself to the post of a good watch-dog which
ua ts an. watches without troubling the master.
La Valliere, terrified at sight of the angry King, rose a
M-<-ond tmie, and assuming a posture, humble ami supp icatin-s
stammered out : * ^ ".anuj,,
" Sire, forgive me."
" Why, mademoiselle, for what do you want me to forgive
you ." asked Louis XIV. -i^'oIm.
greaf^Hme."'''" '°'"""""^ ^ g'''^** ^^"^1; more than that, a
" Von ? "
" Sire, I have offended your .ALajesty ''
" Not in the least,'' replied Louis XIV.
'• Sire, I entreat you not to maintain towards me this terrible
^toinnes.s ahich reveals your Majesty's just anger. I know
I have offended you. Sire; but I must explain to you that I
have not willingly done so."
"Ill the first place, mademoiselle, how could you have offemb^.l
me Idonot.see. Is it by a young girl's innocent jest ? Vou
.uade fun of a cre.lulous young man; that was very natural.
Any other woman m your place would have done the .same ''
• < Hi, your Majesty overwhelms me by your wor.ls "
" \\ by so ? "
innocent ••''' '^ ^ ^*'' *^'°"^''* "^ ''"'''"^' '^ "'""^'' "'•^' ^""^^ ^*'"
'• Well, mademoiselle." went on the King, " was this all you
lia.l to say to me m asking for an audience '-• "
And th.' Kimr started as though to withdraw.
Ihen La Vall..^re m an abrupl, broken voi.-e, her eyps dried
up by the fire of her tears, took a step towards the King, saying-
"Sb
^f
M
_ . _ \i5.
'■■■ %.
1
32G
Till-: VI COM TIC DE BRAGELOXNE.
<
" Your Majesty heard everything ? "'
" P^erytliiiii,''.' Wliiit du yon mean ? "'
" Everytiiinj; I said at the royal oak '.' "'
" I did not U)se a single word, mademoiselle."
"And when your Majesty liad heard me, you thought I had
abused your eredulity '.' "
<' Yes, eredulity is the very word."
"Aiul did not your Majesty suspect that a poor girl lilfe
me might sometimes be forced to submit to the will of
others".' '"
'• Pardon, but 1 shall never understand that she who seemed
to express herself so freely under the royal oak could let her-
self be influenced to such an extent by tlie will of others."
" Oh : but the threat, Sire."
" The threat ! who threatened you ■' Who dared to threaten
you •.' "
*' Those who have the right to do so, Sire."
" I (hi not recognize any one in my kingdom as having the
right to threaten."
"Pardon me. Sire, there are near your >[ajesty those of
sufficiently high position to have, or to think they liave, the
right U) injure a girl who has uo future, no fortune, nothing
but her reputation."
" How injure her ?"
" hy uuiking her lose her reputation through a shameful
expulsion from court."
'• <^h, mademoiselle," said the King, bitterly, " I like those
who exculpate themselves without incriminating others."
"Sire!"
<• Yes, and it is painful to me, I confess, to see that an easy
justitication, as yours would have been, is coraidicated in my
presence by a tissue of reproaches and imputations."
'• Which you do not believe ?" cried La Valliere.
The King r^» .anied silent.
"Oh: tell M.e:" rej.cated La Valliere. vehemently.
^' I regret to confess it," said the King, bowing coldly.
The young girl gave a deep cry, and clasping her hands,
said :
" So you do not believe me ? "
The King did not rojdy.
At his silence La Valliere's features underwent a change.
"And you suppose that T, 1." said she, "arranged this
M:iTlli:ii XAIAl) XOR DRYAD FnllESAW. Wl'i
ridit-uldus. tliis infamous jilot, to aiiiuse iii};.self in sucli an iiu-
imilcnt manner witli your Majesty '.' '"
" Kh, grainercy I it is neitlier riilicuii)us nor ini'anious," said
llie Kinj;; "it is not even a plot; it is a jest, iiiorc or less
amusing, that is all."
"Oil!" iiuiriiiured the young girl in despair; '-the King
does not, will not, believt; lue."
" Xo, I will not believe you."
■' Ah, just Heaven ! "
"Listen; wliat is more natural?" continued Louis, -The
King, you reason, follows lue, listens to lue, watches me; the
King wishes jierhaiis to amuse himself at my expense ; let me
amuse myself at his, and since the King is a man of leelin'_% let
me attack him through his heart '"
La Valliere liid her face n her liands to stiHe a sol). The
King continued j.itilessly, thus avenging himself on the poor
victim for all he ha<l suffered :
" Let us then invent the story that I love hiin and prefer
him toothers. The King is so innocent and so vain that he
will believe nie, and then we will go and tell about this inno-
cence of his, anil laugh at it."
"Oh!" cried La Valliere; "it is frightful of vou to think
that ! "
"And," went on the King, "that is not all ; if this vain
prince takes the joke seriously, if he has the imprudence to
show publicly something like pleasure, well, before the wliole
court the King shall be humiliated ; moreover, some day it
will be a charming tale to tell my lover, a jiart of tlie dowry
for my husband, this adventure of a King deceived by a mis-
chievous girl ! "
" Sire ! " exclaimed La Valliere, bewildered, wild, " not an-
other word, I beseech you. Do you not see you are killing me ? "
" Oh, a jest,"' murmured the King, who, however, was begin-
ning to be moved.
La Valliere fell on her knees, and so violently that the sound
as they touched the floor could be heard. Then clasping her
hands :
'■ Sire," said she, "I prefer shame to treasim."
" What are you doing .' " deiranded the Knig, without, how-
ever, making any attempt to raise the young girl.
" Sire, when 1 shall have sacrificed my honor and my reason
you will perhaps believe in my loyalty. The story told you at
}
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328
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Till-: VKo.MTh: /)/■: iii;A<ii:rj>x\i:.
gmauJ^^"^ ^'' ^'^''""' '^ '' ^'"' ^^■''^^'^ ' ^-^' ""'i-r the
" Well."
'• Tiiat only is the truth."
" M;i(lemuis(.lh. ; •' oxclaiiii.nl the Kiii-r
"Sire," cTie.l La Vallier... hmrie,! .,u%y the violence of her
emotmns, .. .s,,.., were I to .lie ot shame cm this very spot «,
me 1 .•*; U r;' T'^' / ^^■'^'"•^ '-r^^ -^ tilLnybreatl/tlui:;
me 1 .said that 1 lov..,l you - wcil, I ,1,, i„ve vou ' "
" \ ou '.' ■■
"I have loved y..u. Sire, from the dav I first saw vou •
from the moment when at Blois, where l was pinh awav'
y.>m; royal glance fill oMi.ht and life fell on me.' I L; ^Sj
il« . ^ 7""^?f •'>?'' t'^^^s"". I know, for a iK.or'gir
nivefthk'tV '?'"'.''',' '"' '"y ''"I"-lenoe ; hut never say,.
ne\ei thnik that I jested about you or that I betraved you I
am of a race that is faithful to royaltv, Sire, and^ I We -
love my King. ()h, I am going to die ' •' ^
gill tel <ir«ar,l, like the Hower to which Virgil alludes when
touched by the scythe of the reaper -luucies, u neu
At these words, at this vehement entreatv, the Kin- no
cnger felt bitterness or doubt; his whole heart e.xpanied a!
the glowing breath of an affection which spoke in u ■ nobL
and courageous language. nouie
So when he heard tlie pa.ssionate avowal of this love he
grew weak and hid his face in his hands
But when he felt La Valliere's hands clinging to his when
tVr?"T'""-' ^^t''«y-'"^' Si'l tilled his blood he iS
forward and pa.ss.ng his arm about La Williere raised her S
""t ern^d V""\ f '^ ?.'-' ^'i«l--, !-• lieaddroHMng
uac K, seemcil , longer to be ahve
The King, frightened, called Saint-.\ignan
Ihe latter who had carrie,l discretion to the point of re
naiiung motionless in his corner, preten.led to X ivvav a
tear, and hastened forward at the call of the Kn.g ^ He aid
Louis ,n aymg the young girl on an armchair^ rubbed her
'■ Cume, mademoiselle, it is all over, the King believes vou
the King forgives you. There! there! take cLe, you S
SEIIHER XAfAD NOR DRYAD FORESAW. 320
trouble liis Majesty too much, madonioispllp. Tlis Majesty is
sensitive and teinler-Iicarted. Ah, the tlevil, iua<leiiK)iselk',
take care, the King is very pale."'
This, in fact, was true.
La Valliere did not move.
•■ MacU'iiKiiselle : ina(h'iiu)iselle ! really," continued Saint-
Aiuiian, '• coiae to yourself, I bej,' of you, I besee( h yiui, it is
time; think of one thinj,', that if the Kin-,' were to be i .ken ill
I shouhl be ohlii,'ed tocali in his physician. Ah I wliat a slate
I'i' thin.^'s. Mademoiselle, dear mademoiselle, recover, make
an etf(u-t, quick ! quick I ''
It would iiave been ditlicuit to use more persuasive elu(|UPnce
than did Saint-Aij,nian; but something more energetic and nune
active still restored La \'alliere to consciousness.
The King was on his knees lu-fore her, pressing on the jialms
<>l her hands those burning kisses which are to the liamls what
a kiss on the lijis is to the face. La Valliere hnally came to
herself, openeil her eyes slowly, and with a dying look mur-
mured :
'■Oil, Sire, has your >Lajesty pardoned me, then ?'"
The King did not reply; he was still too agitated.
Saint-Aignan thought lie ought to retire again. He had ob-
served the passionate light in his Majesty's eyes.
La Valliere rose.
•' .Vnd now, Sire," said slie, witli courage, " now that I have
nistitied myself, at lea.st, I hope, in your Majesty's eves, grant
me leave to retire to a convent. There I shall bless' my King
all my life, and shall die lovir.g God for having given me one
day of hap{)iness."
"Xo, no,-' replied the King, "no; you shall live here,
blessing God, on the contrary, but loving Louis, who will
make your life one of happiness, — Louis, wholuves yon, Louis
who swears it."' '
"Oh! Sire! Sire!"
Upon this doubt of La Valliere, the King's kisses became so
I)assionate that Saint-Aignan thought it was his duty to disap-
pear behind the tapestry.
The kisses, however, which at first she did not have the
strength to resist, began to burn the young girl.
•■ Oh, Sire ! "' she cried ; " do not make me repent of having
been so loyal, for this would show me that your Majesty still
despises me."
I
l- ■ 1
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330
riff- VICOMTi: DF. liliAGELOSNE.
' M.-ulr-mnisell... " sai-l tho Kin^j suddcnlv, steppiim^ back with
i""'' han you, an. n., one in my n.urt, I swear t.. G...1, shall
lie so hi-hly rnganle.l as y.,u shall he heiicofurth. I ask your
n,g,v..,iess f„r my outb.ust ..f ,,,issiu.,, ma.lem.,isHle ; it came
from an ac.'ess of love; l.„t I ,,1,1 prove to you that I love yo„
still more by respectui- you as much as ynu can desire •'
to her" '''"'^' ^''*'"''' '"'' '"""^ ^'''''"*'' ''^^ ^>' ^'''^ ''•'^'"' '"' S'-^^'l
'• Ma.kMm.isclIe, will you do mc the hom.r of accepting the
kiss which I luvss upon y„ur hand?" an.l the Kin- laid his
lips respecttiUy and liyhtly on the tremblint,- hand of the
younj,' ^'irl.
'• !;y;!<;''f">-th;- a.lded Louis, rising ami bending- his glance on
La \ alhere. •• henceforth you are under my protection. Do not
speak to any one ol the wrong I have donV you ; for^nve others
01 tiiat winch ihey may have attempted. In future you shall
be so far above ihem that instead of inspiring you with fear.
Uiey shall not even arouse your pity.'' And he bowed reverently
as It he were leaving a temple. Then calling Saint^Ai-nati
who approacheil very humbly: 't-vi„nan,
"Count," said he, •• I hoj.e that mademoiselle will be good
enough to give some of her friendship to you iu return for that
winch 1 have vowed to lier forever."
Saiut-Aignan bent his kiie(> before La Valliere
" \Uiat happiness for me," he murmured, "if mademoiselle
would do me such an honor .' "
" I will send your companion back to you," .said the King.
larewed, nuulemoiselle, cr rather an rrrolr ; do me the favor
not to lorget me in your jn'ayers."
in Iv'V i^''.TC ''""^ ^'"^ ^''''•^^''*^' " '^^ "°^ ^^^^'•' >'"" '^'■« ^^ith God
sJ!r\^f'? '"'f' intoxicated the King, who, full of joy, drew
haint-Aignan down the stairs.
Madame had n, ; foreseen this turn of affairs: neither the
naiad nor the dryad had spoken of it.
fS#*
THE SEW GESEHAL OF THE JESUITS. 331
CHATTER XLI.
THE NKW (;KNKR\I. uF TIIK ,IKS( ITS.
While La Vallii-rfi and tho Kiiij,' wore iiiingliiig in tlieii
first Cdiifpssioii all tin- ^'if f <'t' the past, all th(! hapiiiiies; of
the present, all the hopes of the future, Foiiquet had retained
to his ajiartineuts, that is, to the rooms which had been
assigned him in the chateau, and was talking with Aramis
on the very subjects which the King at that moment was
forgetting.
<' Tell me," began Fouquet, when he had installed his host in
an armchair and seated himself by his side, " tell me, M.
d'Herblay, what is our jjosition in regard to Helie-Isle, and
whether you have received any news (jf it '.' "'
" M. lo Surintendant,"' replied Aramis, ''everything in that
direction is going as we wish ; the expenses have been paid,
and nothing has transpired of our designs.'"
" But the garrisons the King wished to place there '.' "
'• I received news this morning that they arrived fifteen days
ago."
•' How have they been treated ? "
'• Beautifully."
" But what has become of the former garrison ? "
" It was landed at Sarzeau and immediately transferred to
Quimper."
" And the new garrison ? "
" Is ours by now.''
" You are sure of what you say, my dear M. de Vannes ?"
" Sure. And moreover vou shall see how things have turned
out.'"
" But you must know that of all the garrisoned towns Belle-
Isle is the very worst."'
" I know that and have acted accordingly. No wandering
around, no communication, no women, no gambling. And in-
deed it is a great pity,"' added Aramis. with one of those smiles
jieculiar to him alone, '• to see how much young iieojile seek
amusement and how, consequently, they incline to the one who
pays for the amusements."'
"But if they amuse themselves at Belle-Isle '!''
" If they amuse themselves through the King they will love
...-^-'
ifi'";.^-
^>:\:
THE yiroMTi: l>E lil!A<;i:LnSM^.
f'l liiin,;iml
>!. Ik' would do
<I results'.' I
;i.attho..id ntH.....s 1^:1 k,!n:r, :;.;:.. ';■{ ^^r*'/';;;^
Kuufiiiot. and tli.f \l I.' \ 1 '^ nicnd (d M.
i.a.i In,,:, u,;', ',!;;;;,„. ,:''::'■ ,;.rv,';,:; ''"■>■ rr '"•■"■i«.
l)on-d on his ..stale. Tl . r M ^''*'>' ''•"' ""' l"'e'i
M. F..u,,net. l.e knew Ss n ^ ^" el ' n^I^T I "" '""''". '^'
•'vry ^^entlen.m in tin- serviee of Ih Ki f . '■'"'"" ""'
that, am.„,h ,.. did not kno^^";: ,::^^::^^^
as m,ud. fur tluMu as luHud .lone tor tin. otlj; •'•
">oo,l! Ami I in.st tl... prunuses ha.l . , o.
'^?;;::;^k;:o^;r;t''"''^'"'''^'-'^'' -•-•••-
an:i'^turErr;^;:'^:^r:i';;;:!^'«^v--...tw„p,.i.ateers.
then ..otl.nffi . -^ tlie .nncipal Iiouse were "iven
«.„a, «.,■,,„ f,,„„„,..,,„i „,„„,, ,;,:„,,■,;,:' 1 tk,,:^
"\*>ry Koo.l, so that — "
the' '°he',' ■' "" '■"" '■"""• "" """ '•'""■■'»". "-I'-h i» l.«t,er than
« s,;„„ ha™',r''th,';,L:;;;;,'':,i;:'.'-''""'^ "^■■" ' "■ -" '—
uahiJrfL:;:",^';:::;:;™;,''';;;^-'., ••".f ..„ .»,» i, ,„ vai.
a.i,u.,i ia„„hi„«: .M;rr,'!:, ■ , 'S;;:;- ,:";.';■ »" "-■■•'"
these three davs that I I, .v.. •, 1 .!''.' ^ •'''""■ During
have forgotte,;:n at;;,it hh,:^' "' "' «a,nt-Mantle, I adadt !
THi: .\i:\v hiishhal of riii: .nisrns.
;i;?:{
"Oil, but I do not forget him," said Arainis. •• I'orthos is at
Siiiiit-Maiidt', girasfd in all liis joints. noiiiislK'd witli lood and
wines; 1 have told him he may walk in the small jtaik which
yon have kept for yourself alone, and he nsi^s it. lie is heyin-
nini,' to walk a^'ain ; he increases liis .strenj,'th Itv UMidni^' .lown
Noiingelms or by spiittinj,' old oaks as Milo of frotoiia used
loilo; and since there are no lions in the park it is proi)able that
we shall find him alive. Our I'ortlujs is a brave fellow."
" Yes, but in the meantime he will be bored."
" Oh, never."
" He will ask questions."
'• He sees no one."
'• Hut he must be waiting or hoping for something."
'• I have inspired him with a hope which we shall realize
some nu)rning, and he is living on that."
"What is if.'"
'• Of b<;ing j)resentcd to the King."
" Oh, oh ! In what capacity ? "
" As the engineer of IJelle-Jsle, of course."
'• Is it possible ".' "
" It is true."
"Certainly. Now, will it not be necessary for him to return
to Belle-Isle ? "
" Yes. I am even thinking of sending him there as soon as
possible. Vorthos is very fond of display ; he is a man whose
weakness is known only to D'Aitagnan, Athos, and myself.
I'orthos never commits himself; he is full of dignity. Before
the officers he will seem like a paladin in the time of the cru-
sades. He will make the whole staff drunk without becoming
intoxicated himself, and will be an object of admiration and
of sympathy for every (me. Then if it should happen that we
had an order to execute, Portlu>s is the incarnation of order,
and whatever he might wish would always have to be done."
" -Send him b;wk, then."
" That is my plan, but only after a few days, for I must tell
you one thing."
" \Vhat is it."
'• 1 mistru.v. D'Artagnan. He is not at Fontainebleau, as you
may have notieed,and D'Artagnan is never absent or idle with-
out reason. So now that my affairs are settled, I am going to
try to find out what are the affairs in which D'Artagnan is
engaged."
'Si
;)
:rJi^
:«l
'////; iicoMTi: hi: m{A(;/:u,\yh:.
im
'■'h
" Voiir own uffiiirs arp spttlo.l, you sav " "
" \ t'S." ' ■'
sayasnlS,-"" '"""""' »- v.ry I.appv, an.l I wish I could
" I trust y.Hi will MO ]n,v^,'v Im" anxious."
" Hum I "
"The Kinf: ifcciv.Ml yon y.-ry well."
'* Vcs.'
"And ("olhort loaves you in poaco •'
" I'racticaily."
"In that rase." sai.l Aran.is. Nyith that ass.Ml.ition of ideas
in whwh lay h,s stn-n.,th. •• i„ that ,,..■ u-e .an thir.k o what
I tohl you yesf.nlay about the little Lrirl "
" What little jriH-/- ■
" Haye you forgotten already " "
" Ves." ■' '
" r mean La \'alli."'re."
" Ah, yes."
" In";';;:: x^::''" ■'"""■ "■""■ '■' ■>■'»■ "• *'>■ '- »■"■ '-■•■
" What is that '.' "
" My heart is interested in anotiier .iireetion, and I feel
ab.sohitely nothing,' for this fj-irl."
" Yes""'*'^''^ Arainis, '• yo,i are interested, you say ?"
" The devil ! You must take care."
" \\ hy '.' '■
"because it would l,e terrible to have your heart involyed
when you have such need of your head •'
so ti;;!'^;,rj';;^i- ^' '^^ ^^^' "^^ ^ ^--^'^ f- •-•• At least
" Hut you who know everything do you know otherwise ■' "
"know that the Kin.g has changed very sud.ienly • Ihat
mother -tlt'th. .''"'''•'■ '•'^"'f''^'»«'l «f' tins to the ,ueen
" How do you know all that ? "
" I do know it."'
77/;; .VL'ir (jexerxl of thi: .iesiits.
:}35
•• Well. siiic.> tliest! s<i'iu"s mid loproriclif's. tin- Kins,' lias not
a.M;csse.i a single word or paid tlio least altoiiliou to her loval
lliLjIinpss.''
••What next?"
"Then he began to be interested in Mademoiselle de la
\alliere, who is one of Ma.laine's maids of honor. I>.) v.)u
know what is called a .loak {rl,„i„j,-on) in matters of love'?"*
" Certainly."
'• Well, Ma.lemoiselle <le la \-ailiere is Madainr's tdoak.
I ake advantage of this situation. Von do not n.-ed to be told
that. lUit wo'inded pride will render the eoinpiest more easv
i lie girl will km.w the King's .s.vret and Madame's. Voii do
not know how nuudi an intelligent man ean do with a .secret."
•• Hut how reach her ? "
'• Vou ask me that?" said .\ramis.
" Ves, I shall not have the time to show an interest in her "
'• .She 13 poor, sh." is humble. Vou will create a position for
licr. \Vhethor as his mistress she subjugates the King or
approaches him as his confidant, you will have made a new
jiupil.'
"That is well," said Fouquet. '• What shall we do in re-
•.,'ard to her ?
••When you have desired a mistress what have you done
>l. le Surintendant ? " j >
•' r have written to her i)rotesting my devotion ; I liave
ottered my services, and I have signed mvself Fouquet."
•' And no one has resisted ? "
'■ One only," said F.mquet, "and four davs ago she yiehied
like the others.
•• Will yon take the trouble to write ?
quet, handing him a pen.
Fouquet took it.
••Dictate," said he. "My head is so taken up with other
matters that 1 could not write two lines."
'• Very well," said Aramis, "go ahead ; " and he dictated :
V ■'
said Aramis to Fon-
_ Mm1r„i,Hsclh-: I hare seen you and i/.m ,rlll not !„■ sur
prised th.it I have found i,r„i henatifaJ. But foru-ant nf a p;.i
tion worthy of you you can only c-yrtate at court. The lore o,
an honest man in ca.se you are amhltlo,,., nu,,ht s,-rrr as a,, a -d to
your intelltyeace and personal charms. I idaee my heart at
'/
IPI
336
••^l
THE VICOMTIC Dl- BltAd i:Li>.\ MC.
S/7 ' • Z ""■' '^"'""!""' '"'"""•'"• '^""''>''' "»'i 'lisrrrrt if
.nt U!/ that a i.rr.soa .J ,,nur merit sl:n„ld rnu the rU nf l,rh„,
forerrrp-ee ,in,l i,ulrjn;id-ntr •' "''"y^""
Havin,^ written Miis, Foii.iuet ]ooketl at Arainis
' ^igii, said till' latter.
" Is tliat necessary ? "'
vl^f""'"" fi'^^y -'■\ t'>« f«'«t of this letter is worth a million
lou forget that, my dear superinten.lent.-
rouqiiet signed
- Now by whom will you sen,l the letter?- as^ed Aramis
" By an excellent servant."' ^laims.
" On wliom you ean depend '.' "
"He is an old retainer."
stakJs'''^' ''''^' ^"' '^'' '"'"'' '''' ^'^ ""^ P^'-^^'i^g ff-'- heavy
MVhy not? If what yon say about the complaisance of
the girl towards the King and Madan e be true, the Kin" wil
give her all the money «hc wants." °
II The King has money, then?" asked Aramis.
any." '" ' ^ '"''^'°'*' '"' ''"'^ ^'^ "'^ ^^"S^r asks me for
" Oh, he will ask ; rest assured ' "
^^- Moreover, I thought he would speak to me about this fSte
" Well ? ••
" He has never mentioned it "
"He will."
;;0h, y^think ^he King is very cruel, my dear D'Herblay."
"He is young, tlierefore he is good-natured "
"He 1.S young, therefore he is weak or passionate and Af
Cdbert holds his weakness and his passiolis inZ v.£i':
g I tlSjI.
" Vou see well enough that you fear him "
" I do not deny it."
" In that ca.se I am lost."
"Why so?"
" I was strong with the King only through money."
H
THE NEW GEMCltAL ol- THE JESUITS.
337
" Well ? "
" I a;n ruined."
"Xo."
"What do you mean by 'Xo' ? Are you better ac'iuainted
with my atlairs than I am ?"
" Possibly."
" \n(l yet if lie asks for this fete ? "
" You will give if
" But the money ? "'
" Have you ever lacked it ? "
" Oh, if you knew at what a cost I procured the latest sum t "
Ihe next wdl cost you nothing."
" Who will give it to" me ? "
"I."
" You will give me six millions ? "
" Yes."
" Six millions ? '"
"Ten, if necessary."
"Heally my dear D'Herblay," said Fouquet. -your confi-
dence riglitens me more than the anger of the Kin- "
" Who are you '.' "
" You know me, I think."
" I am mistaken Then what do you want ^ "
"I want on the throne of France a kin-' devoted to Af
Fouquet, and I want M. Fouquet devoted to nie "
"01:!' exclaimed F..uquet, grasping his hand, "as to be-
u.iK.ng to you I an. yours wholly. Hut believe me, my dear
JJ llerblay, you are deceiving vouiself "
"How?"
" The King will never be devoted to me."
'• 1 do not think 1 said he would be."
" Yes, you have just said so."
" I did not say th,- King, I said a king."
" Is it not the same thing ? "
" On the contrary, they are very different things »
" I do not understand." " "
"Yo.i shall. Suppose that the King were nut Louis XIV
but s(mie one else." >-i » .,
" Some one else?"
" Yes, who owed everything to you."
"Impossible."
Vol. II. — 22
'k
^
*«.^
si
liil
3
fi
1^
338
THE ViroMTE DR nn.\<; ELONNE.
" Even liis tliroiie."
one." ii<in(e. i know ot no one. n„t
" Hut I know of sonip one "'
A.'u!;^f '' Y'r^'""'"'"'"' ^i^"'^ ^^"'i'"^^' '""kin. anxionsh- at
-iv.,iiii.?>. 1 (-f .tlousU'UI' ^
" It is not -Monsieur."
'• Hut how eoulil vou pvnppf f)..if ^ .
a prinee without any 'laim ' " ^"■'"'" ""* ^'^ '■">'^' ^^'°-'-
" -My kin- or rather yours, will be evervtliint. tl,.,f i ■ ,
sary, rest assured." ""- ^'^'.^ filing tJi.it is neces-
" Take eare, tak(> fare, M (rHpfi,].,,, f v ,
you make ,„y l.ea.l swin.. ' ' ^ ^ "" '"'^'^'' "'*^ ^''i^'^''-
Araniis smilcil.
" OrviInT; U^ "^'""^^ '"■ ^^'-J^ ''"'«'" ''^PHed he.
<^'n, }ou tn<,']iten nie again."
Aramis smiled.
"Vou smile? "asked Fouquet.
laugh ;^o;!:^^f,:';i.;^;;;:;::;-^ ^- -'^ --^e too; omy i ..^.t
" Lxplain yourself."'
" In , f..rs„,„l,, I ,l„„,,t i„.,,„,,^ , J,, ,^^;j ^^ ^^.„
" vl;;, .sifwC ■■;■:,: wt',:i-u°t'..' ,^f "™ '"■,» ■■ -
the abyss in which ^lono , '"^'"""^f '^^>"'*'^ I have made eross
And Aramis rose to withdniw
"AHnal word/' said Fouquet. •• von Ir.v.. „ „
"Iteu,„„ i„ ,.,,ler t„ ,|,.,k al,m.l. tl,.. v„i,.„ ,„„,t ,,. ;„,.,
THE .\i:w GENERAL OF THE JESUITS. 3P,9
"Is it, tl'^-ii ?'•
" Since uIkmi? "'
•' Since ye.stei(la\."'
"Oh, M. il'IIerhlay, take care, vou T.ush confi.lenoe to au-
dacity."' ■ > i
" llfcause one can be audacious when one is ixjw ci-ful "'
" Are you powerful ? ''
"I have c cic-d you ten luillions, I otTer tlieni a-'ain.''
iomiue "use, deeply agitated.
''Coiiie, said he, "you have spoken of overthrowing kings,
of replacing then, by others. CJod forgive n,e, hut that, unless
1 am inad, is what you said just now."'
" },?y- ^I'r ""*^ ""!''' and tliat is just what I s.-id just now."'
'• \Miy (hd you say so'.""
'^ Because one can speak thus of thrones overthrown, and of
kn.gs being crea-ed, when one is above the kings and thrones
— or this world.
"Then you are ail-powerf:-!:' " cried I'Vnupiet.
•• I have tci 1 you so, and I repeat it,"" replied Aramis, with
shining eyes an.I trembling lips. Fcuquet threw himself back
m his armchair ai)d let his head fall forward u, his hands
Aramis watrhe.l him an instant as the angel of human desti-
nies migiit have looked at a simple mortal.
" Allien/' said he to him, "sleep in peace, and send your
letter to La ^ alliere. To-morrow we shall see, shall we ikv. > "
"ies, to-morrow,"' said Fouquet, shaking his head like a
man returning to himself; "but where shall we see each
other ?
" At the King's promenade, if you wish."
" \'ci7 well."
And they separated.
340
Tin: vico.'.fTE UE BiiAf.ELoxyi:.
CIIAPTEK XLIL
TIIK STORM.
Thk following,' (l;iy dawiiod dnik an<l <,'loomy, nnd since ovi^ry
one know that tlie proiiienaiie was down on the jiroi^nunnie.
every one's gaze, on opening his eyes, was turned towards tlie
sky.
Above the trees hung a tliiek, heavy vapor, with scarcely
sufHcient strength to rise thirty feet ahdve tlie eartli, under the
rays of a sun which couhl scarcely be seen through the veil of
•3en^,e mist.
So dew had fallen that morning. Tlie grass was drv, the
flowers withered, the birds sang with more reserve th.in'nsual
in the foliage, which was a.-; motionless as if it were dead.
Tlie strange, confused luurmurs, fidl of life, which seem born
and to e.xist through tlie .miu, that respiration of nature which
speaks incessantly in the midst of all other sounds, was not
heard; the silence had never been so great.
_ This gloom of the sky struck the gaze of the King wlien on
ri.sing he went to the window.
But since all the orders had been given for the promenade,
since all ]ireparations had been made, and since, what was much
mc-e to the point, Louis counted on this i)romenade .o satisfy
the cravings or his imagination, and we mav even say tiie needs
of his heart, the King decided without hesitation that the ap-
pearance of the sky had nothing to do with the matter; that the
promenade had been decided on, and that, whatevcu' the weather,
the luonienade should take place. Moreovu', there arc certain
terrestrial sovereigns privileged by heaven with hours in which
one would suppose that the will of the terrestrial king luis its
inHueme^over the divine will. Angu.stus had Virgil u> say of
huii^: " Xorff j,/,,rrf tut,,, rri/niiit sprrtuciihi ii'i'nn-."' Louis
XIV. had r.oileau, who ought to have said very differentlv, and
God ought to have be^-n almost as complaisant to him as
Jujiiter had been to Augustus.
Louis attended mass as usual, but it must be confessed he
was .somewhat distracted from the presence of the Creator by
the remembrance of the creature. 'lie occupied himself dur-
ing the service in calculating nioi(> than once the numlier
of minutes, then of seconds, which separated him from the
THE STOIiM.
341
f! .9
happy moment wlieii tlio pn.m.'iiade was to be^'in, tl.at is
the moment when .Ma.iamo was to set out v. itli lu-r maids of
lionor.
Resides, it goes witiiout saying that every one at the ehateau
was Ignorant of the interview wliidi had taken idaee the
evening before between La Valliere and the Kin;:. M(;ntil lis
perhaps witl, l.er usual cliattering. miglit have ...,,ea'i u,
ahn.atl, but M.ntalais on tliis occasion was eurbed bv Mali-
eorne, wli<. had j.laeed on her lips the padloek of mutual
interest. As lor Louis XIV., he was so happy that he had
forgiven or almost forgiven .^Ladaiiie for her little wickedness
ot the evening before. In faet, he had more to be glad of than
to eomplain about ; without that malice he would rot have re
ceived the letter from La Valliere ; without this letter he would
have ha( no interview, and without the interview he would have
remained undecided. There was too much gladne.s3 in his
heart for any mtterness to remain there, for the time bein-r at
least. '
So, instead of frowning on seeing his sister indaw, Louis
rj.soIved to show her still more friendship and graciousness
than usual.
However, it was on one eomiition - -that slie be readv earlv
Such was what Louis was thinking about during mass aiid
which made him, during the service, forget things of which
he should have been thinking in his character of ^•el•y Christian
Ivmg and eldest son of the Church.
However. Co.l is so lenient towards the errors of our youth —
all love, even guilty love, so readily lin.ls pardon in His-paternal
eyes — tliai on leaving mass Louis raised liis eyes to the skv
and sa through the break in a cloud a corner of that azure
carpet which rolls at tlie feet of the Deity
Louis returned to the chateau, and since the promenade was
hxed for noonday, and it was only ten o'clock, he set to work
desperately with Colbert and Lyonne.
Hut even while he worked, Louis w. ut from the table to the
AUK ow, inasmuch as this window looked out uj.on Madame's
I'avili.m. He could see in the court-yard M. Fouquet, to whom
the courtiers, since his favor of the preceding evenin- were
luvving greater attention than ever; he on his part with an
attable and hapi.y manner was coining to pay court to the King
<»u seeing I' ouquet, Louis instinctively turned towards Col-
bert, who was smilng and eeemingly full of kindness and
■J
««
842
THE VICOMTE DE BRAG ELnSXE.
mirth. lie had been in hij^li spirits ever since om^ of his seo-
retarit's li.id (Mitci't'il and liandod luni a port folio wiiidi ('olhoit
had plact'd unopened in one (d' liis deep jkh kcls.
Hut since iliere was always sonicthini,' sinister at the bottom
of Colbert's joy, of the two smiles Louis prefcrrt'd that of
Foutpiet.
Ho si},'ned to tlie superintendent to come up, then turning
to Lyonne and Colbert lie said, " Finish this work ; leave it on
my desk and I will read it at my leisure."
Then he went cut.
At the sign from the King, Fourpiet liastene<l to ascend.
As for Aramis, who was with the superintendent, he gravely
withdrew to the group of courtiers, among whom lie \vas lust
without even having been noticed by the King.
The King and F(ju(piet met at the head of the staircase.
" Sire," said Foucpiet, seeing that the King was about to ac-
cord him so gracious a greeting, " .Sire, for several days your
Majesty lias overwhelmed me. It is not a young king, but a
young god who reigns our France — tlie god of })leasure, of
hapi)iness, and of love."
The King flushed. Although flattering, the compliment was
Bomewha* pointed.
The King led Fouquet into a small room which sei)arated
his study from his sleeping apartment.
" Do you know why I have summoned you ? " said tlie King,
sitting on the window-sill in suca a way as to lose nothi. g of
what was going on in the gardens, n])on which the second
entrance of JIadame's pavilion looked out.
" No, Sire, but it is for something pleasant, 1 am sure, after
your Majesty's gracious smile."
" Ah, you are a prophet."
" No, Sire ; I look, I see."
" You are mistaken, th3n."
" I, Sire ? "
" For I summoned you, on the contrary, to pick a quarrel
with you."
'• With me. Sire ? "
'' Yes, and a serious one."
" Really, your Majesty frightens me ; yet T am waiting, full
of confidence in your justice and goodness."
"They tell me, M. Fouquet, that y.u are preparii'_, a great
fete at Vaux."
.' > -M-
THE STORM.
848
Fouquet smiled as <a sick iiiun iiii^'ht at the first shiver of a
fever ret"rniiif^ after he had tliouLflit himself free from it.
" And yuu do not invito me." ('((ntiniied the Kin^'.
"Sire,"' rei)lied Fouquet, '• [ have not even },'iven a thought
to this fete, and it was only last evening that one of mi/frii-mls "
(Fouquet lingered over these words^ "was kind enough to re-
mind me of it."
'' r.ut r saw yoii last evening, and you said nothing of it,
M. Fouijuet."
" Sire, how could I hojic that your Majesty would descend
from the high regions in which you live to such a level, in order
til honor my home with your royal presence '.' "
" Pardon me, M. Fouquet, you did not speak to me of your
fete."
•• I did not speak to your Majesty of this fete in the first
place, as I said, because nothing had been decided in regard to
it; in the second place, because I feared a refusal."
" And you had some reason for fearing such a refusal, M.
Fouciuet? Take care, I have decided to push you to the
wall."
" Sire, the great desire that 1 had to see the King accept my
invitation — "
" AV'ell, M. Fouquet, nothing is easier, I see, tiian for us to
come to an understanding. Vou "-isli to invite me to your
fete ; I wisii to go to it. In\ite mo and I will go."'
" What ! your Majesty will deign to accept ? '" murmured the
superintendent
•'Really, monsieur," said the King, laughing, "I think
I am doing more than accept ; 1 think I am inviting my-
self."'
" Your Majesty overwhelms me with honor and delight,"
cried Fouquet. " But I shall be obliged to repeat what M. de
la Vieuville said to your ancestor, Henri IV., 'Domine, non
mi III di'jnus.' "
■' My answer to that, M. Fouquet, is — I will go whether T am
invited or not."
" Oh, thank you, thank you, my King," said Fouquet, raising
his head at this favor, which nevertheless he thought would be
his ruin. " But how did your Majesty hear of it ? "
" Through public rumor, M. Fouquet, which tells such won-
ders of you and the miracles of your house. Will it make you
proud, M. Fouquet that the King is jealous of you ?"
w
;2.;i
= K 5F|
344
THE VKOMTF. DK liRAd EIoXXE.
"Itwduld luako inc tlic iMpiiifst man in tlic world, Siio.
For the (lay (in which Vdiir Majfstv liccinu" ji-alons ct \aax,
I should liavo soMicthini,' worthy of your acrcptaucc."
"Well, M. F..ui|Uft, iirct.aro your fPtc and oiicn wide the
doors of y(jnr liouse.''
" And you, Sire, fix the dato,"' said F<iU<|!i(^t.
"One luontli fr'nn to-day.'"
" Siro, lia;, your Majesty no further wishes ? "
"Nothiui,'. M. le Surintendant, excejit that until then I liave
you with me as niu(di -d^ possible.''
" Sire, I liave the lionor to be of tlie party of your .Majesty's
promenade."
"Very good. I am going out, .M. I-'oucpiet, and here are the
ladies who are going to the meeting-place."
At tliese words the King, with all the ardor m (,iilv of a
young man, but of a young lover, turned from the window-
to take the gloves and the cane whi(di his valet ottered
him.
Witlujut was heard tli(? nei-hing of tlie horses a .d the
crunching of the wheels on the giav.d of the court.
The King descended the stairs. When he appeared on the
staircase every one paused. Louis ..-ent straight to the young
Queen. The queen mother, who was sutiering nnue and
more from the malady with which she was alllicted. had not
wished to go out.
Maria Teresa went in ^[adanle■s carriage and asked the King
in which direction he wished to drive.
Louis liad just seen La Valli(-re, who w\as still p.ile from the
events of the previous evening, get int(.. a carriage with three
of hercomi)anions, and replied that he had no prefercp-e. He
would be pleased to be w herever she was.
The Queen then ordered d\o, outriders to proceed towards
Apremont. The c .triders started.
The King mounted his horse. For some moments he fol-
lowed the carriage of the Queen and Madame, keeping by their
sule. The weather had cleared somewhat, but a film of .iust,
like a thick veil, (obscured the sky, and the sun made every
atom within the circumference of its rays glisten. The lieat
was suffocating.
But since the King did ^.ot seem to heed the condition of
the sky, no one else appeared uneasy, and thev drove, ac-
cording to the Queen's order, towards Apremont.
THE
STORM.
845
Till' l)iiiiil (if ('(iiirti(''rs was n
oisv and niorrv
It
SCO that each was ir\ i
liitl
was oasv to
cr s[M"ccli<'s (it tl. pipvidiis t'VfMiiii
ii;_,' t(i t(irg(>t atiil t(i make otht^rs lorget the
.Mad;
line was cs
IK'ciall
V cliai'miii':.
Ill iact, .Madame saw tlif! Kin:; at hor side, and sinco she did
nut siipposi^ lie wa.s there lor tlie sake ol tlie (,»iieeii, she hoiieil
that her princi; liad returned to lier.
Hilt at the end of about a (juarter of an lioiir, with a i,'iaci()iis
sMiile, tlie King bowed and turned back, letting the Queen's
carnage go on ; then Uiat of the first ladies of honor, and the
others, one by one, pa.ssed him.
Haeh, seeing him stop, had wished to do likewise, but Louis
signed to them to proceed.
When La Valliere's carriage was passing, the King ajiproached
it. bowed to the ladies, and was about to follow them as he
luid followed .Madame, when the line of vehicles suddenly came
to a standstill.
Xo doubt the (>iieen, anxious because the King had left her,
iiad ordered this inaiineuvre. it will lie rciuembered that the
diicction of tiie dri ,e had been left with her. The King sent
to ask what she meant by stopping the carriages. She replied
that she wished to walk.
She probably hoped that the King, wiio was following on
horseback the carriage of the maids of honor, would not dare
to follow the maids of honor themselves.
They were in the midst of the forest. The pleasure ])arty,
in fact, was promising to be a delightful one, particularly for
dreamers or lovers.
Three beautiful long paths, shady and undulating, stretched
liom the little open space in whitdi they had just halted.
I»nwn each of the.so paths, green and mossy, and covered with
leaves, about a foot of sky was visible through the interlatv
ing of the trees. Such were the surroundings.
At the end of these alleys passed and repassed, with manl-
iest signs of uneasiness, startled deer, which, after pausing an
instant in the middle of the path, raised their heads and ..arred
away like arrows, returning with single bcinds to the ^ense
\^oods, in which they disa|tpeared. From time to time a phil-
"sojdiical rabbit sat erect on it-' haunches, rubbing its muzzle
with its forepaws, sniffing the air to tind out whether ;ill these
people, who were approaching and who had thus interruiited
his meditations, his meals, and his love affairs, were n(5t fol-
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lowed liy soiiio (!(.(,' iihdut to spniii,', or <li<l nut nirrv k'iiis midcr
their arms.
Every one followed the ex:uii]ile of tiie (^iieeii ;iii<l left tlie
carriiiLjeH.
Miina Teresa took tiie arm of one of jier niaids of honor, and
with a side ■,'!anee at the Kin,i,% who di,l not s,.,.,ii to pencive
that lie was in tiie sli^,ditest degree file d.je. t ,.f tiie (^leen's
attention, entered the forest hy tlie first path whi(di iav Ix-fore
her. Two outriders preceded her .Majesty witli canes wliicli
they used to turn aside tiie l)ranclies or r«-mo>e obstacles wlii(di
niigiit be in I lie way.
In stepj.ing from her carriage Madame found .M. de (iuiclj. .
who lio'.ved and piaced imnself at iier dis|.o.sal.
Delighted with tiie batii of two davs iiefore, .Monsieur Iki.I
deoiarcd him.s.'if in favor of tlie river", and wiiile giving leave
of absence to J)o (iuiidie, iiad reniiiincd at tiie (diatea"i witii
the Chevalier de Lorraine and Manicamp. He no lunger felt
the slightest jealousy.
They sought iii vain for iuin, tiiereforo. in tiie party,
but since .Monsieur was a iirince much taken up with himsclt;
and since he usually added little to tiie general enjoyment!
his absence was tiie subject of satisfaction ratlier than of
regret.
Every one had followed the example of tlie Queen and
Madame, (loing as iio i)leased according to chance •)r taste.
The King, as we have said, had remained near La Valii."'ie,
and disiiK.uiiting as the door of her carriage wa.s opened had'
offered her ins hand.
At once Montalais and Toiinay-CMiarente had withdrawn, tiie
former for motives of interest, the latter througii discretion,
but with this difference between them that the one retired to
please the King, the other to incur his displea.sure.
During the last lialf iioiir the weatiier, too, liad changed. Tlie
cloud which iiad ob.sciired tiie sky. as tiiough drawn bv a liot
wind, liad concentrated itself in the west, tiien driven back
by a contrary current was advancing slowly, iieaviiy.
The storm was ai)proaching, but the King did not see it, and
no one else felt that he could do so.
The walk was, therefore, continued. Some anxious spirits
glanced from time to time at the skv. Others still more tinrd
kept close to the carriages, in which they counted on seeking
shelter in case of a storm.
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'Ml
r.iit iiKist of the party, .-.ooiii^' tlic King Ixildly ctitpr the
wimmIh with I<,i Viillii'ie, lollowcd.
I'.Mcfiviiii,' this, Louis took L;i \;i!li.''ic In the Imiul ,iii<l If.l
lier into a side i)atli wlicif this time no one dared to follow.
CIIAITKK XLIII.
TIIK KAIN.
At this moment, in the very direction which the Kiii^,' and
La Valliere had just taken, hut in the wood itself, instead of
lu the i>ath, two nu-n were walking', wholly indilfereiit to the
apiiearaiice of the sky. Their heads were bent as though they
were in deep thought. They had not seen I >e Guiehe or
>Lidaine, the King or La \'alliere.
Suddenly .something lell through the air like a shot of flame
and was f(jllowed hy a dull, 1' ir-otf rumble.
" Ah," said one of the two, raising his liead, " here 's the
storm."'
•• Shall we go back to the carriages, my dear D'Herblay ?"
Aramis raised his eye.s and looked at the heavens.
•' Uh,'" said he, •' there is no hurry a.s yet."
Then resuming the conversation where it doubtless had been
interrupted :
" Vou say, then, that tiie letter which we wrote last evening
should liave reached its destination by now '/ ''
" I say that it certainly has."
'• liy whom did you send it? "'
" I^y i»y oltl retainer, as I had tlie lienor of telling you."
" Did he bring back an answer ".' "
" I have not seen him since. No doubt the girl was on
ilnty with ^Ladame, who was dressing in her own room, and
slie made him wait. The hour for starting came and we left,
consequently I do not know what took place."
" Did you see the King before leaving?"
" Yes."
" How did you tind him ? "
" Perfect or infamous, according as lie meant to be sincere
or hypocritical."
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348
THE V J COM IE l)E HRAdELoyXE.
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" And the fete ? '"
" Is to take plafe in a month."
" He invited hinuelf ?"'
" With an insistence in whicli I recognized Colbert."
" Ciuod."'
"Did uuL tlie night dispel your ilhisions ? •"
•• On wliat subject'.""
"About the aid you could render nie under these circum-
stances " ■■
"No, I spent the night writing, ami all my onlcrs are
given."
" The icte will cost several millions. Do not forget that."
"I will supply six; do you raise two or three in anv way
you can."
" You are a wonderful man, D"llerblay."'
Araniis smiled.
"But," asked Fompiet, still with some anxiety, •• since you
squander millions thus, why a few days ago did vou not take
from your own pocket the fifty thousand francs for Baise-
meaux '.' "'
" Because a few days ago I was as poor as Job."
" And to-day ? '"
" To-day I am richer than the King."
"Very well." said Foufiuet, "I understand now. I know
you are iucaiiable of breaking your woril. I do not wish to
■wrest your secrcu from you, so let us speak no ni'ire of it."
At that moment a dull rumble was heard, which suddenly
burst into a violent cla[) of tiuuider.
"I told you so," said Fomjuet.
" Come," said Aramis, " let iis go back to the carriages."
" We shall not have time," said Fompiet. •• here is the
rain."
In short, "s if the sky hail opened, a downi»our of large
drops was suddenly heard on the trees above them.
"Oh," said Aramis, '-we shall have time to reach the car-
riages before the rain gets tlirou-h the leaves."
" \Ve had belter take refuge in some grotto," said Foiupiet.
"' Yes, but where are we to find one '.' " asked Aramis.
" I know one," said Fouqnet, with a smile, •• not ten feet
from here."
Then, looking arijund :
" Yes." said he, •• that "s it."
THE RAIN.
349
"How lucky you are to have so gooil a in"iiiory ! " said
AiMiiiis, Hiiiiliii;^' in tani. " I'.iit are you nut atraid that, not
set'in;,' lis ivtuin, your driver will think we iiave gone hack bv
aniither way and will iollow the court caiTiages '.' "
'• Uh," said Fouqiiet, •' there is nu dan.jer. When 1 station
my driver anil carria,i,'e in any jilace, nothing short of an order
iroin the King liiiuseli' can move them. Besides, it. seems to
me that we are not the only ones who liave come so far. I
hear footsteps and the sound of voices."
.Vs he siKike, Fouquet turned, pressing back with his cane a
mass of foliage whicdi hid the path.
.Vramis glanced at the same moment through the opening.
" A woman I '' exclaimed Aramis.
•■ A man ! '" cried Fouquet.
■' La Valliere ! "
•' The King I "'
'• ( )h,'" sai(l Aramis, " does the King, too, know your cavern ?
Tliat ought not to surpri.se lue, for he seems on very good terms
with the nymphs of Fontaineblean."
•' Never mind,'" saiil Fouquet, " let us go there just the same.
If he does not know it we shall see what he will do; if he
does know it — it has two ojjenings, and we can leave by on ; at.
he enters by the other.''
" Is it far ? " asked Aramis, " for here comes the rain."
" We are there now."'
FoiKjuet pushed aside some branches and they coukl see an
opening in a rock almost completely hidden by heath, ivy, and
a thick growth of shrubs. Fouquet led the way, followed by
Aramis. As they were about to enter the grotto, Aramis
turned.
" Oh," saiil lie, '• there tliey are entering the wood, and com-
ing in this direction."
" Well, let us give way to them," said Foucpiet, smiling and
drawing Aramis by Ins cloak, "but I do not believe the King
knows my grotto."
■' They are looking around," said Aramis, " but only for a
thick tree."
.Vramis was not mistaken. The King was looking up and
lint around him. He was holding La Valliere's arm in his
own, her hand in his. She was beginning to slip on the damp
grass.
Louis again glaiircd ai'oiiinl iiiiii more caridiiHy, and perceiv-
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ing an enormous oak. \vita tliick iolia-n lie led La \'allii.re be-
neath its shelter.
The poor, t^'irl looked about her. She seemed b-th to fear
and to wish to be followed.
The Kill- made her ban baek against the trunk of the tree,
the vast circumferenee of which, protected bv the thick f(.lia<'e'
was as dry as if the rain had not been falling in turrents. hJ
him.self stood before her with uncovered head. After a few
minutes some drops of rain penetrated between the leaves of
tne tree an<l fell on the forehead .d' the King, who ],aid no
attention to them.
'•(Ill, Sire,-' murmnred La Vallii^re, pushing his iiat towards
him.
J5ut the King bowed and absohitelv refused to cover himself
"Xow or never i;, the time to offer vour place,"' whisperetl
fouquet into Aramis" ear.
" Xow or never is the time to listen, and not to lose a word
of wliat they aie about to say." replied Aramis.
Both became silent, and the King's voice reached them.
"Oil, mademoiselle," .said the King. >■ I ,see, or rather I
divme, your anxiety. Pray believe that I sincerely re-'ret
having separated yon from the rest of the jKirtv ancrbromdit
yon to a ])laee where you will suffer from the rliin. You are
already wet, perhai)s you are cold ? "
"' Xo, Sire."
" But you are trembling."'
" Sire, it is because I fear that they will put an evil inter-
pretation on my absence at a time when the others are all
together."
"I should certainly suggest your returning to the carriages
mademoiselle, but look and listen and tell me if it would be
possible to go even the shortest distance at present."
In faet the thunder was crashing, and the rain fallin- in
torrents. "^
"Besides," continued the King, - there will be no possible
misinterpretation of your action. Are vou not with the King
ot France, that is, with the first gentleman in the kin-dom " •'
"Certainly. Sire," replied La Valliere, "and it is i",deed a
great lionor tor me. But it is not on my account that I fear
misinterpretation. ■'
" On whose, then ? '"
" On yours. Sire."
THE RAIN.
351
1 il
"■On mine, inadoinoisello '.'" saiil tlic King, smiling. " I do
III it understand "
••Has your Majesty already forgotten what oceurred last
evening at liei' roya! llighness"s ? "'
••Oh, let 111' forget that, I beseech you,"' said the King, "or
rather permit me to remember it only in order to thank you
aguin for your letter and — "
••Sire,"' interrupted La Valliere, " the rain is falling, and
yiMir Majesty has nothing on his head."
'• I beg of you let us think only of yourself, mademoiselle.''
••Oh," said La Valliere, smiling. '• I am a conntiv girl, ac-
customed to wander through the meadows along the Loire, and
in the gardens of Hlois, whatever the weather. And as to my
rldthes," she added, looking at her simple muslin dress, "your
.Nfajestv sees that there is very little to be hurt."'
•• .Vs a matter of fact, mademoiselle, I have already noticed
iimie than once that you are almost everythir.g to \ oiirself and
iKithing to your clothes. You are no coquette, and, in my
eyes, that is a great thing."
" Sire, do not make me out better than I am. Say simply,
' You could not be a coquette ! ' "
'• ^Vhy '.' '•
'• iSecause,"' said La Valliere, smiling, " 1 am not rich."
" You admit, then, that you love beautiful things ? '" said the
King, quickly.
'• Sire, I think beautiful only the things that are within my
reach: everything that is beyond me — ''
•' Does not atfect you ? "
'• Is foreign to me because it is forbidden."'
'• And I, mademoiselle,"' said the King, " I think that you
are not on the footing you .'■diould be at my court. The ser-
vices of your family have not been suiiiciently brought to my
at'.entiou. The fortune of your liouse was cruelly neglected
by my uncle."'
"()h, no. Sire. His royal Highness the Due d'Orleans was
always very kind to M. <le Saint- Uemy, my stepfather. The
services rendered by our liouse were not great, and it can be
said that we have received all that we have deserved. Every
line is not fortunate enough to find opjxtrtunities to cover him-
self with glory in the service of his King. I do not doubt but
that if oci'asion had arisen my family would have had the will,
as well as the desire, but we were never so fortunate.''
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77//-; ViroMTE OE HltAr.ElOSNE.
Thon, m-ulonioisolle, it is for the kin^^s t-. .nnoct tlio I-,oJ<
of opportumtv. ami I gia.Uy ....Hlcrtake tu .vpair as qui .klv r-
I.oss,hle U.e 1 „n,l,.,.s of fortu,... so f.,. as v 'u a.v ... "n .1 "
"No, S.re." ,.x..hu.ne,l La Vaili.Vo, .p i.kiv '• Vou will
leave tlnngs as they are, if vou please ■' ' ' ' '"
"Uhat ma.lein..iselle ? You refuse what I wish, whu I
ought to <lo f.)r vou '.' ■' ^
" Everything that I .lesire.l was ,l.,ne f.,r n,e, Sire, when the
honor ..then,, one of Ma.hune's househol.l wa^ aee.'.. , e '
yourfliilv-"' ''"'"'"' '"■ ^-'-'^^'f-^^ loast accept for
"Siie. your -enerous intentions .lazzle and frighten nie f..r
by .hung for n.y house what your kin.lness pr,,npt ;.
Majesty would arouse envy and ennnty towar Is uJ Lea v
t''; r/'VT '"""'''•^ '"'^'^'"■'- ^^^^ =''' tl'e sentin^en^ts w ht 1
I can leel sfil retan. the .lelica,.y of .lisintereste.h.ess "
' 1 hose are beautiful sentiments.- sai.l the Kinrj
; Irue enough ! " niurmure.l Aranus in F..ufiuefs ear, " and
he IS not accustomed t.) them." '
my ilJiJe'' ^"^ ^""'^""■'' " '"^'^°'' '^' '"^^^^ ^ ^'^^iJ^^ reply to
"Oh, well,-' sai.l Aramis, "let us not anticipate, but let us
await results." ^ ' "^ "^
"And then, dear M. d'Herblay," ad.led the supennten.Ient
s^^rcely ab e to un.lerstan.l all the sentiments h La
\all,ere na.l just expresse.l. <• it is often a clever calcuia mn to
appear dismtereste.l with kings/' --anuianon to
'■That's j,.st what I was tl.rnking," sai.l A ramis. " Listen -
Ihe King .irew near to La \-a]l.,-.re. ami sine., the rain was
falling more an.l more heavily through the leaves, he held his
hat over the voung gill's head '^^ iiem nis
a j^h' '''''^"'"' '"'"''*'"' '''"' ^^'^^ -'""1 •'^'""'k her head with
neart while I make a rami)art for it .,f my own " "
Question I "i!ffi''',l >""■ ^ ^'"^ "^'•^•'^•'^' ^'""''-^ "P"» this
question, so dithcult for a young girl of my age to discuss
when your Maj.-sty imp.xsed silence on me.^ slre, vou \ ,.'
^ docs not belong to y.,ursclf. you arc marrio.l ; e -ery cH t
which separates you, Majesty from the (Meen, m lea.l n y "^r
AL. esty ,u think of me. would be a source of .eep grie lo'Se
m
HE HELD HIS HAT OVER THE YOUNG GIRL'S HEAD.
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THE RAIN.
353
The Kins strove to interruiit the girl, but she continuo,!
with a gesture of en^^reaty.
•• Tho Queen hjves your Majesty witli a love which can easily
1)1' seen; tlie <^>u('eu's eyes follow your >[.ijestv's every step.
Having had the good fortune to meet such aliusl)an(l, siu' hegs
Heaven witli tears to let her keep him, and she is jealous of
the least movement of your heart."
Again the King tiied to speak. Again La Valli.ue dare<i
tu stop him.
•■ Would it not I.e very wrong/' said she, " if, seeing sodeej)
and so generous a love, your -Majesty were to give the (,)ueen
cause for jealousy? Forgive the word, Sire, — I well know
that it is, (u- rather that it would he, inipossihle for the greatest
i.hieeu in the world to be jealous of a poor girl like me, —but
this Queen is a woman, and as such her heart is open to the
suspicions which the wicked would suggest. In Heaven's name,
Sire, think no more of nie, I do not deserve it."
'•Oh, mademoiselle !"eried the King, " vou do not know
that by speaking as you do you change my esteem into admira-
tion.''
" Sire, you misinterpret my words ; you think me better than
I am : you fancy me better than God made me. Have pity on
me. Sire, for if I did not know that the King i:; the most
generous man in his kingdom, I should think he were making
iuu of me.-"'
'• < »h. you do not fear such a thing, I am sure '. " cried Louis.
" Sire, I shall be forced to thiuk^ so if ^oii continue to ad-
• liess me in such language."
'• In that ease I am a very Wi-etched prince," said the King,
with a sadness wholly devoi.l of affectation, "the most
wretched prince in Christendom, since I am unable to prove
ii:y words to her wh(jm I love best in the world, and who is
bicaking my heart by her refusal to believe in my love."
••Oil, Sire," said La Valliere, gently pushing awav the
Iviug, who had drawn still nearer tier, "the storm is subsiding
and the rain his ceased."
F.ut at the very moment when the poor child, striving
against the feelings of her own heart, whi( h was probably in
uiuson with that of the King, uttered these words, the storm
undertook to contradict her. A lurid flash of lightnin<'
ibnnined the forest with a fantastic glow and a peal ol
■liunder, like a discharge of artillery, crashed over the heads
Vol. II.— 23
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77//; rfroMTf' or: nn.\f;i:r.nx\/:
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of tlip two youuf,' 1M>()|)1... as if tlif ti.p of til.' (lak wliii'Ii shel-
tered tlieiii iiail attracted the li'^lituiiiL,'.
The youiii,' 1,'irl cduhl not restrain a t-vy cd fermr.
With one hand the Kint,' drew her t(. his heart, and placed
the other un her head as tlidiii^di to pn)tecr her from the thiui-
(h'rholt. There was au insfnt's silence, whih; the two. as
eharniini,' as are all jiictiires of yonth and love, stood m.ition-
lesH. FoiKjuet and Araniis were watidiiriL,'. theniselvi's as
motionless.
"Oh, .Sire. .Sire," laurmiired La Valli.Me. lettin;,' her head fall
ou his shoulder, '-do you hear'.'"
" Ves." said the Kin<,', - you see that the st.jrm is not over."
" Sire, it is a warnint,' I "
The Kin^' smiled.
" Sire, it is the voice of (Jod, who is threat(Miin,L,' us.'"
" Well." said the Kin- " I will accept that clap of thunder
a.s a warniuj,'. and even as a threat, if in five minutes it is rc-
peattMl with e.pial force and violence. Otherwise permit me
to think that the storm is a storm and nolhing more."
And the King raised his head as thou^rh to study tlie skv.
And as thoui,di the sky were an accomplice of Louis during
the interval of silence following the crash which had fright-
enetl the lovers, not a sound wa^^-heard : and when the thuiuler
was again heard it sounded from a distance, as tliou;,di during
those five minutes the storm, jiut to ttight, had travelled ten
leagues home on the wings of the wind.
"Well, Louise," said the King, in a low tone. •■ ih) vou still
threaten nu; with the celestial anger'.' And since you wished
to look upon the thunder as a presentiment, do you" still think
it one of evil '.' "
The girl rai.sed lier head. Meanwhih' th(> rain had penetrated
the canopy of foliage and was running in streams down the
King's face.
'•Oh, Sire, Sire,"' said she. with an accent of irresistihle fear
which moved the King in the highest degree. '• And it is Un
me that you are bareheaded and exposed to the rain! i'et
who am I ? "
"You are, as you see,"' said the King, -'the divinity who
chases away storms, the goddess who brings back fair weatlier."
In fact, a ray of sunlight, filtering through the forest, caused
the drops of water whicdi were rolling from the leaves and
falling from the branches to glisten like so nianv iHamonds.
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■•Sii(\" s;ii(i La Viillirrf. alniust (•(iiii|iicrfil, Imt makiii',' a
sii|.rciii.' ctTort, •• tui- tlic last time think ol ilic tr.piil.lr u Inch
your Maji'sty will h;ivc to mniori^d liccaiisc ot' inc. At this
VI TV iiHuncnt they arc Innkiiii,' lor ynii, callini,' for vmi ; the
• .iiierii must l)c anxi(.us. and MadamV — oh, Madame :" cried
ilir M'lm'.,' trirl. with an in'oiiation of terror.
Tins had a ('(M-tain etl'ect on the Kiiii,'.he staite.l and ri'-
Icascd I-a \'allicre, uhoiii until then he had heen (das|iin,i,' to him.
i'hcn he uent toward the path, lookc(l about, and returned
to La, \'alliere in some an.xietv.
•• Madame, you say '.' '" said he.
•' \Vs. Madame; Madame, who is jealous, too," saiil I.a
\'alliere. pointedly.
.\nd her eyes, so timid, so chasiely fui,'itive, dared for a
iiiouicnt to (|iiesti(iii those of the Kiii'^.
"liut," said l.onis, makiiiL: an effort to recover himself, -it
s-eiiis to me that Madame has no reason to !»• jealou:) of nu' ■
no ri'^dit — ■'
■• .Vlas!" murmured La Valliere.
"<lh. mailemoiselle," said the lun^', almost reproaelifully,
'•are you one of those who think that a sister has a right to be
jealous of her brother'.'"'
'• Sire, it is not for inc to penetrate your Majesty's secrets."
'' ( )h, you believe as do the others ! " cried tlie King.
'• I think that .Madame is jealous, Sire," replied La Valliere,
•irmly.
" Heavens ! "' said the King. an.Kiuusly, •• have you perceived
it .u lier manner towards you '.' Has she aeted in" any disagree-
able way which you might attribute to jealou.sy V "'
'•Xo, Sire, but I am of so little account."
" Oh, if it were so ! *' cried Louis, with strange vehenienee.
*' Sire," interrupted the young girl, •' it is no longer raining,
and some one is i-oming, I think." And forgetting all eti-
quette she seized the King's arm.
'• Well, mailemoiselle," replied the King, " let them come !
Who would dare take e.xceptiou to my being with Mademoi-
selle do la Valliere ? "
" For pity's s.ake, Sire ! they will think it strange tliat you
are so wet, that you liave sacriticei! yourself for me."
'• 1 have done only my duty as a gentleman," said Louis,
'• and woe to him who does less than liis by criticising the con-
duit of his King ! "
856
77//; VirnMTF. Df. I'.lt Ani'J.nW'F..
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.Iiist at th.it iniiiutt' tlifv saw- 111 tlic imlli siniic liasi v ami
iinimiiii.,' fact's wliidi s.tmi.',! t.. lie |,M,kiii.,' f,,:- .^..iih« . .;ir", hipI
wliK'li. sc.-iii- the Kill- ami [-a Valliri,.. l,a,l a|.|iai.Mitlv tniiiHl
tlldSC ullom tlify U.llllc.l. 'riii'V '.V.MM cnlirtitTS srnt' }iv till"
Qiicfii ami .Mailaiiic, and Ihov li,i,l t.icir hats in tli. ii- liatids as
a sij,'ii tliat tlicy Iiad smi his .Majfstv.
r-iit Louis, !,'rpat ;is \v;is tlM> cuiilnsitiii df |,a \ iiilirrc, did
not alter liis respect I ul and tender atlitnde.
Then, wlien ail tin <niirtiers Iiad j^'atle led in t!ic path, wiien
til.' wli.ile party could see the m.arked deCeren.r he was sliow-
in.t,' the yoiiin,' -,'iil liy standiii;,,' iimnvered lietmc lier dnrin.f the
storm, lie otlered lur liis arm. led lier toward tlie wai'tiiiLr
Kn>ui>, nodded in response to Mie saiiitaiions. and Int still in
hand escorted her to her carria.,'!'.
As tlie rain was .still laliin-, a last larewell from th.' st,.c, i„
wliiidi Iiad jiassed, tiie other ladies, whotr. respect, liail pn-
vtMited iroin eMterini; tlieir carria-^es li.'tore the Kin-, stood
\vith<iiit liood or cloak in the rain from wliicli the kTii- was
protect in-, as well as lie could with his hat. the hnml.lest of
them all.
The Qnoen and Madame, like the others, wat.died this exag-
gerated courtesy on the part, (d' the Kin- Madame forgot
herself so far as to nmi-e the Queen with her elliow and sav •
" Look : Just look !''
The Queen closed her eyrs as if di/zy. She covered her face
with her hand and stepped into her cairia-e. .Madame fol-
lowed her.
The Kin- mounted his horse without showin- preference to
any carriage and returned to Fontainel)leau. the reins on his
horse's ne(d<, dreamy and absorbed.
When the party had gone, when they had heard the noise
of the horses and carriages fading away, when thev were
satisfied that no one could see them, Aramis and Fomp'iet left
the grotto. \n silence they rea.died the i)ath. Aramis looked
not only before and behind him, but into the dejiths of the
woods.
'■ M. Fom]uet," said he. when he was sure that thev were
alone, "you must get back vour letter to La Valliere "at anv
cost."
"That will be easy,"' said Fonquet, -'if mv man did not
deliver it."'
" It must be done in any case, do you understand '/ "'
TDIi Y.
857
'• Vi'H. Til.' Kiii'^' Idvcs fliis tjirl. ilocs lie not ?"
•• \ fiv miicli.aiid wliui is w \-" stic Invcs him jiassiuiiatelv."
"Which iiitMiis til. It, uc iiiu.>i I h,iii_;.- liiir tiictics, iimstwn
III. I '.' ■■
•■ \\ ithoiit a (Idiiht. 'I'hiTi' is IK) tiinc {,, h,. li,:^t. 'mi must
sfr I. a \';i]lit'Ti'. ami with m> tuith.T ttinii-ht ot hccnmiii^' iicr
lovrr. which is imiM.ssililc. ycii mu.-,t ilcclarc yiiuisclf lier^lcar-
cst Iricml and hiimlilt'st servant."'
-I'liat will I .hi,"' i>.|jli..,l |''(,ii,nu.t. '-ami without any ol>-
jcction. 'I'lic .t;irl seems to me to he ,i,'o< 1(1. hearted."
••Or .lever," said .\ramis, •• iuit in that cast, all the more
reason."
Att.'i- a m.im.'iit's sil.'ii.'.' he ad.le.l :
'• Kith.'r I am mistaken or this girl will he tli.' greatest pas-
si. ii.it' the King's !ile. Let us return t. our carnage ami drive
hack at tiill siieed to the idiateau."
CHAPTEi; XLIV.
TOItV.
Two hours after the superintendent's carriage ha.l set off
hy order of Arainis, earrying them hoth towanls^Fontainehleaii
vith the swiftness of the elomls whicli were hastening across
til.' sky before the last breath of the storm, La Valli^ie, in a
simple muslin (h'essing-gown, was in her own ro.iin, eating her
supper on a little marble table.
Sud.lenly the door oi)eneil, and a servant annonnceil that
^L Foiuinet begged to pay his respects to her.
She hail him repeat the name twice. The poor girl knew
M. Kou.piet only by name, ami rould not imagine what she
could have in eominon with the su])erintendeiit ol finance.
Ibiwever, sinee he might come from the King, and after the
h'regoing conversation it was j.ossihle, she glaiice.l in the mir-
ror, shook out her long curls of hair, and gave orders that he
be .nlniitted.
I'-iit La Valli.'re could not help feeling .some anxiety. A
visit from the superintendent was not an ordinary event in the
life of a woman at court. Fouquet, so celebrated for his gen-
"§1
f".
!|
'! ^
w'^m
-^^ Tu-y^ -r--
.::-ii:--'^ '57? .-■•.>;''!? ~Vr
^1
358
TIIK VICOMTK l)K 111! AOIILoXM:.
erosity, liis gallantry, and liis tact with women, had roooived
more invitations than he had re(iuested audiences. In nianv
honses tlie i)n'senceof the superinteiHlent had si^'iiitied fortune"^;
in many a heart it had meant love.
FoiKlupt entered La Valliere".s apartment, resi)ectfully ])re-
senting himself with that grace which was the chief (dia'racter-
istic of eminent men of that jjcriod, but which to-day is no
longer undrrstuod even in portraits of that time, in which the
painters tried to depict it.
La Valliere acknowledged the ceremonious salutation (jf Fou-
quet by a school-girl courtesy, and motioned him to a seat.
But Fouquet bowed, saying:
" I shall not sit down, mademoiselle, imtii you have forgiven
me.'"
" I ? " said La Valliere.
" Yes, you.'"
" Forgiven what '.' "
Fouquet fixed his most jjlercing look on the young giil. and
thought he saw on her face nothing but the" most innocent
astonishnuMit.
" I see, mademoiselle,"" said he, " that you 'lave as much
generosity as intelligence, and I read in your eyes the forgiveness
which I solicit. But a pordon from your lips will -lot suffice.
I warn you. 1 need the forgiveness of your heart and mind."
" Upon my word, monsieur," said La Valliere, " I declare
that I do not understand you."'
"That is a delicacy on your part which (diarms i le," re])lied
Fou(iuet, " and I see that you do not wish to make me blush
before you."'
" Blush ? Blush before me ? But why should vou blush "? '"
" Can I be n-.istaken ? " said Fouquet.' '• Can I have been
happy enough nc. to have offended you by my conduct:'"
La Valliere shrugged her slioulders.
" Beally, monsieur,'" said she, "you speak in enigmas, and I
am too ignorant, apparently, to understand you."
"Very well.'" said Fouquet, "I shall n<!t insist. Only tell
me, I beg of \ on, that I may count on your entire forgiveness."
"Monsieur,^" said La Valliere, with some impatience, '• I can
give you but one answer, and I hope that that will satisfy you.
If I knew what wrong you had done me I would forgive it.
All tiie more freely, then, you understand, since I do lujt know
the wron<' — "'
TOBY.
359
!•
Foiiquet compressed his lips as Aramis might have done.
" Then," said lie, " I ma/ hope that notwithstanding what
lias happened we sh;ill stdl ,.n,lerstand earh other, and that
yon wdl bo kind enough to belii.-ve in niv respectful frieiul-
sliip."
La Valliere thought th;it she was beginning to understand.
'■Oh," said she to herself, -I sliouid n.it have thought M.
Hiquet so hasty to seek the source of so recent a favor."
Then aloud :
"Your friendship, monsieur? ' said she. " Vou offer nie
your friendship? But really the honor is mine. You over-
whelm me."'
^ " I know, mademoiselle," replied Fouquet, " that the friend-
ship of the master may seem more brilliant and more desir-
able than that of the servant, but 1 promise vnu that the
hitter will be as devoted, as faithful, and as absolutely disin-
terested."
La Valliere bowed. There was indeed much conviction and
real devotion in the sui>erintendent's voice.
She held out her hand.
" 1 believe you," said she.
Fouquet quickly took the hand which the youn" girl had
extended. °
"Then,- said he, '-you will find no difhcultv, will you in
returning that unfortunate letter ?" ' ' '
" What letter," asked La Valliere.
Foucpiet questioned her as he had already done with all the
force of his look. The same innocent e.xpression, the same
honesty of countenance was there.
"Well, mademoi.selle," said he, "after this denial I am
forced to admit that your manner is the most delicate in the
Horld, and I should not be an honorable man if I suspected
anything in a woman as generous as you."
" Really, ^L Fompiet," replied La Valliere", "it is with deep
regret that I am forced to repeat that your words convey
absolutely no meaning to me."
" But once more, on your honor, have you received no letter
from me, mademoiselle ? "
"On my honor, no," replied La Valliere, firmly.
"Very well, that is enough; mademoiselle, peVinit me to re-
new the assurance of my entire esteem and respect."
Bowing, he retired and returned to Aramis, who was waiting
•ii:;
3bO
THE VlCD.MTE l)E liHAdELoSSE.
mi
for him in his rooms, leaving La Valliore wondering if the
superintendent had gone mad.
'• Well,"' said Aramis, wlio was impatiently awaiting him,
"are you pleased with the favorite".'"
'• F]n(dianted,"" replied Fo\iquet, " she is a worian full of in-
telligence and kindness."
'•She is not angry ? "
" Far from it. She does not even seem to understand."
" To understand what '.' "'
" That 1 wrote to her."
" And yet she must have understood in order to give you
back your letter for 1 presume she did give it Imck."
"Not at all."'
" At least you made sure that she liad burned it."
" My dear M. d'Herblay, for one hour I have been playing
at cross-purpo.ses and I am beginning to have enougii of the
game, amusing as it may be. Understand me. The girl pre-
tended not to understand what [ was saying to her, she denied
having received any letter; and having i)0sitively denicnl it, slie
could neiti er give it back to me nor burn it."
" AVhat are you saying ? " asked Aramis, anxiously.
"1 am saying she declared on her honor that she had re-
ceived no letter."
" Oh. that is too much ! And yon did not insis*" ? "
" On the contrary, I insisted to the point of impertinence."
" \\n\ she still denied ? "
" Yes."
" She did not once contradict herself ? "
" Not once."
" But in that case, my dear fellow, you have left your letter
with her ? "
" I had to."
" Oh, that was a great mistake."
" What the devil would you have done if you had been in
my ])]ace ? "
" You could not compel her, it is true, but it is annoying.
Such a letter ought not to be in existence against us."
'• The girl is generous."
'• If she were really so she would have given you back your
letter." ' o ., ^
" I tell you she is. I saw her eyes. I can read eyes."
" Then you think she can be relied on ? "
TOBY.
361
'• Most assuredly.""
'• Well, I think tlirit we are making a mistake."
'• How ,so '.' ■'
" I think that, as she said, she has not received the letter."
" Not received the letter ? "
'• No."
'* You suppose — "
'• I suppose that for some reason of whieh we are ignorant
your man did not deliver the letter."
Fouquet rang a bell.
A servant appear' d.
" Send for Tohy," said he.
A moment later a man appeared, witli restless eyes, thiu
li[is, short arms, and bent hack.
Aramis fixed on him a piercing gaze.
•' Will you jtermit me to question him ? " asked he.
" Go ahead " said Fouquet.
Aramis started to address the servant, then stopped.
'• Xo, ■' said he, •• he would see that we attatdi too much im-
portance to his reply; question liim yourself. I shall pre-
tend to be writing."'
Aramis sat down before a table, liis back towards the old
man, whose every gesture and glance he studied in a mirror
:>pposite.
'Tome here, Toby,"" said Fouq\iet.
The servant approached with firm steps.
" How did you carry out my commission ? " asked Fouquet.
'' As usual, my lord,"' replied the man.
" But tell me.""
" I went to the apartment of Mademoiselle de la Valliere,
who was at mass, and laid the note on her toilet table. Is not
that what you told me to do ? "
'• Ves. And is that all ?"
"Absolutely all, my lord."
*' Was no one tliere ? "
" No, no one."
" Did you hide yourself as I told you to do ? Did she
return ? "'
" Within ten minutes."
"Could any one have taken the letter?"
" Xo, for no one went in."
" From without, yes ; but from withiu ? "
j|
\\ ■^^'"^
1
862
THE ViroMI'l-: DK BH.[(ii:i.()\M:.
m
-e.
me the jiroof you
nskeil Founuet of
" From whevp I was hidden I could set? tlie whole room."
" Ijisten," said Fomjuet, f^aziu}^ .st<'adily at tiie servant, "if
this letter was taken to the wronj:; i)lace, tell me, for if any
mistake has been made you will pay for it with vour head.""
Toby gave a start, but at onee collected himself.
"My lord,"' said he, " I i)laced the letter where I liave told
you, and I ask for only lialf an hour in order to prove to you that
the letter is in the hands of Mademoiselle de la Valliere, or ti>
bring the letter itself back to you.'"
Aramis watched the lackey narrowly.
Foufjuet readily trusted him; for twenty years this man had
served him faithfully.
"Go," said he, " that is well, but bring
spoke <if.''
The lackey withdre-^'.
" Well, what do you think ab<iut it ? ""
Aramis.
" I think tliat by some means or other you must get at the
truth. I think that the letter diil or did not reach La Val-
liere: if it did, La ^"alliere must return it to you or give you
the satisfaction of burning it in your ])resence; if it did not,
the letter must be brought to light if it costs us a million. Is
not this your oi)inion '.' "'
" Yes ; but, my dear bishop. 1 think that you are exaggerating
the sitiuition.""
" You are blind, blind ! '" murmured Aramis.
•' La Valliere, whom we assume to be a jiolitician of the
highest ability, is simply a co(]uette, who ho[)es that I will
i)ay court to her because I have already done so, and who, now
that she lias received confirmation of the King's love, hopes to
hold me by the letter. That is natural."
Aramis shook his head.
'• That is not your idea ? " asked Fouquet.
" She is no cociuette," said the other.
" Let me tell you — "
"Oh, I know coquettes," said Aramis.
"My friend: My friend! ""
"I carried on my studies long ago, you mean. Rut women
do not change."
" Xo, but men do, and you are more suspicious to-day than
yon once were."
Then beginning to laugh, Fouquet continued :
TOBY.
868
" Come, if La Vallit're wislies to j^ivp mo a tliinl of lit-r
]o%e anil the Kiiij,' two-thinls, would yuu tind the coi.ditions
satisfactory '.' "
Aramis rose impatiently.
" La Valliere,'' said he, >• has never loved and will never
love any but the Kinj^r'"
'• Hut," said FniKiuet, " what would you do? "
" Ask me, rather, what 1 would have (hjiie."
" Well, what would you have do-ie '.' "
" In the tirst place 1 would not have let that man l'o away."
"Toby?"
'• Yes, Toby, lie is a traitor."
" ( )h : "
" I am sure of it. I would not have let him ^.i until he had
told me the truth."
"There is still time."
" How so?''
" ("all him back and question him yourself."
" Very good."
" liut I assure you that is unnecessary. I iiave had him
tor twenty years and he has never given me the least trouble.
And yet," added Fouiiuet, >■ it would have been an easv thinir
to do." " ^
" Nevertheless, call h.iu back. It seems to me that I saw
him talking this morning with one of M. Colbert's servants."
" Where was that ? "
" In front of the stables."
" Hah ! All my servants are at swords' juiints with that
icllow's."
" I saw Inm, I tell you, and his face, which oiherwise would
have been unknown to me, when he entered jrst now, struck
uje disagreeably."
" Why did n't you s])eak of it while he was here ? ''
" Because I have but just now remembered."
" Oh, you frighten me," said Fompiet, and lie rang the bell.
"^I'rovided that it is not too late," said Aramis.
Fouquet rang a second timo.
A servant appeared.
" Toby ! " said Fouquet ; " send for Toby ! "
The man closed the docu'.
" You give me full authority, do vou ?"
" Full."
! . »J
Ml,
' i.
3(54
THE VirOMTE 1)K liHAaEI.OS .\E.
" May I use any means to find out tlie truth '.' "
" Yes."
" Even intimidation ? "
" I constitute you ])ul)lic prosefutor in my place."
They waited ten minutes, but in vain.
Fou(iuet, impatient, again laii'r the Ik'11.
" Toljy I " he cried.
"My hud," saiil tlie valet, " fhey are io.ikiii;,' for
" It cannot take hmj^. I gave liim no message."
him.
" I will see, my lord." And the valet closec'.'the door.
MeanwhiU? Aramis, impatiently but silently, was walking
up and down the room.
They waited ten uunutes longer.
Fou(]uet rang loud enough to rouse a whole necropolis.
The valet entered trembling enough to show that lie brtuiglit
bad news.
'• My hu-d is mistaken," .said he, before Fompiet could even
question him. "My lord must have given a comnnssion to
Toby, for he went to the stables and took the best horse,
which he saddled himself, my lord."
'• Well '.' "
" And he is gone."
" (Jone : " exclaimed Foucpiet. •• Send after him ! .Vrrest
liim I "
"There! there .' "' said Aramis, taking him bv the hand,
" let us keej) calm. The evil is done."
" The evil is done ?"
" Yes, 1 am sure of it. Now let us not awaken suspicion.
Let us calculate the result of the blow, and parry it if possible."
"After all," said Foutpiet. "no great harm has been done."
" \\iu think not ? " said Aramis.
" No. A man may write a love-letter to a woman."
"A man, yes. A subject, no. Especiallv when tlie Kiig
loves the woman."
" ^Vell, my frieml, the King did not love La \'allieiv a week
ago. He did not love her even yesterday, and the letter was
written yesterday; I cannot divine the love of the Kiiu' before
it even exists."
"That may be," rei>lied Aramis, "but un.'ortunately the
letter is not dateij. That is what especially troubles me. If
the letter had only been dated yesterday \ woukl not have a
shadow of anxietv fur vou."
MA DA mi: S FOUR ClfAACFS.
3t),*)
Fnnqiipt shnipij;p(l his shoulders.
"Am I tlion a cliild ".' '■ saiil he. ".And is the Kin^ ruler
fuer my brain and my Hesli ".' "
•• Vou are rij^ht,"' replied .Vramis; " do not let us attach more
Mnj)ortance to thiiii^s than is necessary ; besides — well I if we
are threatened we have means ot defence."
'• Threatened I '' said Fouqiiet. '• You do not place this ant's
sting in the number of dangers that might threaten my fortune
.ir my life, do you '.' ''
" Well, think of it, M. Fou^uet. The sting of an ant could
kill a giant if the ant were poisonous."'
" But that great power of which you spoke — has it vanished
already ? "'
'• I am all-})owerfnl, yes ; but I am not immortal."'
" It seems to me the most important thing is to find Toby.
Do you not agree with me '.' "
" Oh, you will not find him,'' said Aramis, " and if he was val-
uable to you, juit on your mourning."'
'" Well, he 's somewhere in the world," said Fouquet.
" You are right ; let me act," said Aramis.
IN
1
11
:1 I
CHAPTER XLV.
madamk's fouk chaxces.
Queen Axx>k had begged the young Queen to pay her a visit.
For some time, suffering and losing her beauty and her
youth with that rapidity which signalizes the decline of women
v.'iio have struggled much, Anne of Austria, in addition to her
physical suffering, had felt with grief that she was no longer of
any importance except as a remembrance in the mid.-,t of the
youthful beauties, wits, and influential powers of her court.
Tlie verdict of her physician as well as that of her mirror
grieved her far less than the conduct of the courtiers, who were
deserting her as rats in a ship abandon the hold into which,
owing to the ravages of decay, the water is about to penetrate.
Anne of Austria was not satisfied with the time given her
bv her eldest son.
The King, a good son more through affectation than affection,
had at first been in the habit of spending an hour in the morii
8%
I*
I:
11
RW
r/ii: VK'OMTE /)[■: nnAaFj.oWE.
---:_: \
r?
c
ing and oiip in tlit> pvoiiiiig witli his motlier ; hut since lie had
undertaken ilie nianagonu-nt of state affairs tlie ni..rnin- and
evening visits were curtailed to lialt an liour ; then l)v de-rees
the liiorning visit was given up allogethcr.
Tiiey saw eiwli other at mass; Ihe eveuiug visit liad l.rea
rephiced by a meeting eitlier at the King's assemi.iv or at
AI;i.dame"s, to wliich tlie Quet ii went obligingly enough out of
legard fi r lier two sons.
The result of tins was the great influence over the court
winch Madame liad gained, and which made her rooms the real
royal meeting-place.
Anne of .Vustria realized this.
Knowing ''.it she was ill and eondemued by suffering to
frecpient retirement, she was distressed to set' that she would
have to spend the greater i)art of her days and evenings soli-
tary, useless, an<l despondent.
She recalled with terror the isolation in wliiih Canlinal Kiche-
lieu had formerly left her, those dreaded and insupiiortable
evenings during which, however, she had had for consolathui
both youth and beauty, which are always accompanied l)y hope.
She then formed the project of transporting, the court to her
own apartments, and of attracting Madame, with her brilliant
following, to lier gloomy and alieady soirowfid abode, in which
the widow of a King of France, or' the mother of a King of
France, was reduced to console in her anticipated widowhood
the ever-weeping wife of a King of France.
Anne reflected.
She had intrigued a great deal in her life. In the good
times past, when her youthful mind in,, sen projects always
successful, she had with her to stimulate hei ,iiul)ition and her
love, a friend more eager, more ambitions tiian herself; a
friend who had loved her, a rare thing at < oiirt, and whom
petty considei-itions had removed frcuu lier.
lint for many years, with the exception of Madame de
Motteville and La Molena, her Spanish nurse and contiilante,
in the character of both comjjatriot and woman, who could
boast of having given the Queen good advice?
Who, too, among all the youthful heads, coulii recall for her
the past, by which alone she lived?
.\nne of Austria remembered ^Fadame de ('lievreuse, in the
first place exiled r;ith.>r by her own wish tliiiii by the King's,
then dying in exile, the wife of an obscure gentleman.
m.
AfADAMK'S roiR CHA.XCl-JS.
867
Slie rvskoil liorself wfiat Mjulmio (le Clievrciiso would liave
;i(lvist'(l lier to do loii;^ ai,'<i, iii a .similar case in their coiiiiiiou
intii^'ues; and alter seri-His leHoetioii it seemed to lier tjuit
this woman, elevei, experienced, and wise, answered in lier
ironical tones:
"All these younj,' i)e()]ile are jioor and greedy; they need
t;old and incomes to supply their pleasures. Win them over
throu'.,di their interest.s."
.\nneof Austria adojited lliis plan.
Her purse was well tilled. She had at her disposal a con-
siderable sum amassed for her by .Mazariii and kept in a ..afe
place. She pos.sessed the lucst beautiful jewels in France, par-
ticularly pearls which were so lari,'e that the Kins,' sii,'hed every
time he saw them, because in comparison with them the pearls
iu his crown were as grains of millet.
.\nne of Austria had no longer beauty or charms at lier dis-
posal : she let it be known that .she was rich, and otlered as an
inducement to those who came to her apartments the winning
nt Ljold crowns at cards, or handsome presents made on days
when she was in a good humor, or windfalls in the form of an-
nuities wrung from the King by her request. Thus she deter-
iiiiued to act in order to maintain her credit.
First she tried her plan with Madame, whose support would
l>e most valuable. Notwithstanding the bold confidence in-
spired by her wit and beauty, Madame went head-foremost
into the net spread before her!! By degrees, enriched bv gifts
and transfers of property, she acquired a taste for these "hoped-
for bounties.
Anne of Austria used the same method with Monsieur and
with the King himself. She instituted lotteries in her apart-
ments.
The day at which this chapter 0})ens there was to be a late
supper :>.t the queen mother's, and this princess had put up as
stakes iu a lottery two beautiful diamond bracelets of excfuisite
workmanship. The medallions were antique cameos of the
greatest value. A: a means of revenue tlie diamonds did not
represent a very large sum, but the originality and perfection
of the workmanshii) ^^''^s such that every one at court not only
wished to possess them, but to see the'm on the arms of the
queen ; and it was considered a favor to be admitted on the
ilays when she wore them, and to be allowed to admire them
while kissing her hands.
ill
8(38
THE viroMTF. />/•; nit.\(:i:ijt\sK.
ly^^'i
m
Tilt" (•(iiirticis li;i,l pvoii, ill i-f^iiid to lliis s'llijcff, a<l(ipfo,l
various cxiH-.'ssioiis of f,Mll;iiilr_v t(. I'slablisli th.' aVliori-in that
the iHiicclcts would liavc liccii iiricclcss liad thcv not Imtm nii-
fortmiatt' (mioulcIi to coiiift in contact witli arms like tlic
qiu'oii's.
This coinpliiiioiit had liad tho lionor of liciiii,' tiansiatcil in;,.
evpiy lai),i,'iiai,'o of Kiiroix". and more tlian a tlion.sind mtsi's in
Latin and in French hatl hccn ciiciilatc.! on the subject.
The (hiy which Anne (.f Anstria liad apiiointcd ior tlic lot-
tery was a decisive one. I'or two days tli(> Kini,' had ii..t l.ecn
in his inotlier's rooms. After the C'roat affair of the drvads
and the naiads Ma(himo liad been sidkv.
The KiiiL: was not ani^ry, l)nt an all-poweifid distraction
raised liim al)ove tlie disimtes and the ph^isurcs of tlie court.
Anne of Austria etlecied a diversion l)y announcin;,' tliat
the famous lottery would take jdace in her rooms on tiie fol-
lowiu'.,' evening. Witii this object in view she saw the yoini^'
Queen whom, as we liave said, she asked to visit her the nexl
niornini,'.
•' My daughter," said she, " I bring you good news. The
King has said the most tender things about you. lie is young
ami easily drawn away, but so long as you keep near me he
will not dare to stay away from you; moreover, he is warmly
attached to you. Tiiis evening there will be a lottery in my
rooms. Will you come ? "
"I have been told," said the young Queen, with a sort of
tinii<l reproach, "that your Majesty intends to offer as prizes
those beautiful bracelets which are so rare that we ought not
to let them pass out of the wardrobe of the crown, if tmly be-
cause they have belonged to you."
" My daughter,"" .said Anne of Austria, who read the young
Queen's thou-hts and wished to console her for not lia'itii:
received the bracelets as a present, " I must attract >[adame
to my rooms.'"
" >Iadame:" said the young (^neen, blushing.
" Yes. Would you not rather have with you a rival whom
you could watch over and influence than to know that tlie Kin,'
was with her. always ready for a flirtation / 'I'his lottery is
the attraction wdiicli I am using for this purpose. Do you
blame nie V "
"Oh. no.'' said Maria Teresa, clapping her hands with (diild-
ish joy, like the little Spaniard that she was.
.1/ 1 i>A )/j:'s For/; < 11 A \( r.s.
atiU
•• Anil yoii tiu l()Mf,'pr n'K'rer, my <U'iir. do voii. tluit [ .li.l i,ot
,'ivt! yoii these linict'lcts as I first iiiti-ri(lc(l'.' "•
'• Nn. 11(1, iiiy ^'(hmI iiidtlicr ! "
■• Well, my d.-ar .i:iiii,dit.T, make voiirselC lo.-k as h.-atitiful
as possible, tliat our supper uiav l.e hrilliaut. Tie' -aver vou
arethenmre elianuiu- \o" ^vlll appear, and vou uull' eel ipso
■til tlie ladies l.y your liri-litiie>.s as well as hv vour ix-si-
Ih.li. • ■ '
.Maria Teresa left eutlmsiastie.
An liour afterwards Anne.d' Austria reeeiv.-d Ma.lam.- in her
rooms, and <overiiif,' her with caresses, said :
•• (;o.m1 news : Th.' Kill- is deli-hted with inv lottery '
•• Hut I am ti,.t so .leli-hted," said Madame. •• I "cannot
icorieile iiiys.df to .seeiii- smh l.eautilel l.raeel.'ts on any
.1! lus lint yours or mine."
■• Well, well." said Anne of .\usiria. hidiii- with a smile a
Mneiit paui .she had just felt. -.h. m,t rebel, vouu- woman,
ni,l do not look at tliiu-s inuiiediatelv in their u..rst li-lit '
•• Ah. .Madame. f.,rtune is blind, an.l I am told vou have two
hundred tickets.'
••<iuite that number, but you must not for-et that there can
I"' only one winner."
••No doubt, but who will it be'.' Can you telT.'" said
Madame, in despair.
•• Von n aind me of a dream I had last ni-iit. My dreams
are -Odd ; I sleep so little."
•• What was tlie dream ? Hut you are in jiain '.' "
'•-\o," .said the ([ueen. stiHin- with wonderfVi self-contrul
t le torture of a renewetl attack of jiain in hei oreast •■ I
dreamed that tiie Kin- won the brac.dets."
'• The Kin- '.' "
■• Vou are -oin- t(j n.sk me what the Kin- could do \vith the
liiacelets. are you not '.' "
" Ves."
•• And you might add that it would be yery fortunate if the
IMU- did win them, fur lie would 1)6 forced to -ive them to
some one '.' "
'• To give them back to you. for instance ? "
•• In which case I shoulil immediately give them away For
you do not think," said the queen, laughing, "that I am eon-
^irained to put the bracelets into a lottery, do you ■.' It is to
^'ue them away without arousing jealousy • but if Chance does
Vi.I II _)4
1
a-.
870
////•; \'i(()\iri-: in: iuimh.i.oxse
*
in't lii'lji nil' (lilt nf my ilitliciilty, wi'll, I sliiill liavn to ^ive
i'IkIIH'C ;i ItsSdll. I kllnW ti) wllnlii 1 sIloIlM nnVr tllflll."
I lifM' Wiil'ils wci'i ;i(i()lii|iiiliic(l liy ^n cxiM cs^i VI' ;i Sliiilc tlmt
M;ul:iiiic li;iil to ri'Wanl licf liy a kiss ot lliaiiks.
•• i^iit." a'ldcd Aimc lit Austria, "do you imt kimu' as well
as 1 that tlif Kiiii,' WduM iint j,dvc mt- hack tlir luacflits it h<-
Won tlli'Ill " "
•• 'l"hi'!i lit' would i,'iv»' them to the (^ut*cii."
■• No, lor the very same itMSoii that he would not I'ive them
to me, lor it I wished to f;ive them to the (^ueeii I -liMuld have
no need ot him."
Madame glanced aside at the luaeelets, whicdi in I iieir lasket
sparkled (111 a tahle near her.
" How heautiliil they are I ■' said siie, si},diin^'. •• I'.ut here we
are lor^'eitiiiL,' that your .Majesty's dream was only a dream."
'• I should lie very miieh surprised," sai<l .\nne of .\u.stria,
'•it' my dream wck o deceive me. That rarelv happens. "
■' In tliat case you are a proplietess."
•• I have already told you, my dau:,'hter. that 1 do not often
dream. i)ut the coincidence of my dream in this matte;' is so
strani^e, it ciuresponds so well with mv ideas I "
" What ideas '.' "
"That you will ,L;et the braeelels."
" Then it will not be the Kim,' '.' "
"Oh," said .\niie of Austria, ••there is not so <,'reat a dis-
tance between his Majesty's heart and yours — y(ju, who are
his beloved sister. There is not, I say, so i^'reat a distance
that we can call the dream false. See what good chances you
have. Let us count them."
•• I will do so."
" In the lirst place there is the dream. If the Kiny wius he
will certainly give you the bracelets."
" 1 admit that is one."
•' If you win them, you have them."
" Naturally. That is admissible, too.''
" Finally, if Monsieur wins them 1 ''
" Oh," said Madame, bursting into laugliter, " he would give
them to tlie ("hevalier de Lorraine."
Anne of Austria began to laugh like her daughter-in-law ;
that is, so heartily that her pain returned, and made her turn
white in the midst of lier hilarity.
•' What is tlie matter ? '' asked Madame, frightened.
THE /.on /■:/!):
•M\
•• Nntl.ill^'. llutllillK; il IKlil, il, ,„y si.l.V I },;iv.. 1„...M U.lKh
ini,' too much. \\> worn at, tli.' fourth .haiic.'."
" I lid not sen lliat."
•• I'anlon i.i.-. I am not <x.hi,l.',l trom the wimicrs, ami if
I will \()ii ;iio siuf of them."
•• Thank you '. Thank yoii • ' ,.,i,.,l MaWanic.
•• I ho|... that you will 1„> the favor.'.l on.', ami ih.it fn,mi.oNv
'•n iiiy .Ir.'aniwill Lcirj,, to assume tim solhl ,„iil,n.-s of reality"
•• Keally, you k'v.^ m.' hoth ho,,,, ami .■..nfi.l..nre." sai.l
Ma.lame. •• an.l il w.m m this u-ay the hraceleLs uiU 1,,. ^ hun-
oif I times more dear to me."
" Till this evening', then."
" Till this eveiiinj,'."
Ami ll^e princesse.s sejjarated
After her dauKhter-in-law ha.l .,'one, .\nne of Austria sai.l to
iiiTselt, as she examine.] the hracelets :
•• They are, imlce.l, i)reei<,us, sin.'C tiirouRli them this even-
»i^^' I shall wm over a heart t.) me, and, at the same time,
latlioiii a secret.
Then, tuniin- t.. her .leserted al.'ove, she .s:ud, a.l.iressiiie
\ a.ancy : °
" Is it thus that you woul.l liave acted, mv poor Chevreuse ?
It IS, IS It not '.' "
And like a perfume from other .lays, all her youth, all her
u- 1 M imagination, all her happiness, returned to her with the
e.tio ut this invocation.
chaptp:r xlvi.
TIIK LOTTKRY.
That evening at ei^ht o'clock every one had assembled in
tlie apartments of the .jueen mother.
Anne of Au.stria, in full .Iress, beautiful with tlie remains of
a great beauty supi.lemented by every resource which conuetrv
'■"uid pu-. into skilful hands, .-onceale.l, or rather strove to
'onceal, from the throng of young courtiers around her -who
h^,^:l^rV''"' ""f^'V^' combination of circumstances
of tha^ 1' "'^I''"'^';f.''l"^' ^^h'-^Pter - the ravages already visible
ot that disease to which a few years later she succumbed
372
Till: vi'-oMTK hi-: r,n.\r;r:[ji\\i:.
c;;
K
^s
Madame, almost as inucli of a coquptto ;- .vime of Austria,
and the (,)iieen, siiiiplo and natural us always, were seated
beside her. each coutoiidiMg for her ,>,'ood graces.
The maids of honor, united in a body in order to resist with
greater force and cons('(iu('ntly with greater success the lively
C(Uiversati(,us which the young men were carrying on about
them, afforded to one another, like a battalion formed in a
square, the mutual aid of a good defence and a good attack.
Montalais, learned in that species of warfare,' lirotcctcd the
entire line by the rolling fire which she directed njion tiie enemy.
Saint-Aig-.ian, in despair at the rigor, which in its severity
was almost insulting, of Mademoiselle de Tonnay-Charente,
strove to turn his back upon her. but comiucred bv the irresist-
ible brilliancy of tiu- beauty's eyes he returned everv momeTit
to consecrate his defeat by new submissions, tu whicl'i Madem-
oiselle de Tonnay-diarente did not fail to replv with fresh
words of impertinence.
Saint-.Vignan did not knowt.. which saint to dcvot.' Iiini.-clf.
La Vallicre had about her not a court, but the nucleus of one.
Hoping l)y this mananivre to attract the ryes of Athenaisi
Saint-Aignan approached the young girl and bowed with a
respect which made some slow wits i)elieve th-t he was wei-^h-
ing Louise against Athenais. "^
But these were persons who had neither seen nor heard tlie
story of the scene in the storm. As the majority was already
informed and well informed too on that mutter, her acknowl-
edged favor had attracted to her the cleverest as well as the
most foolish at court. The former because thev said with
Montaigne, " What do I know ? " The huter becau'se thev said
with Rabelais, " Perhaps.''
The greater number had followed the latter, as in huntin;--
only five or six of the best hounds follow the scent of i\w anf-
mal, while the rest of -'le pack follow onlv the -cent of the
hounds.
Mesdames and the Queen examined the toilets of their
ladies and maids of honor as well as those of the other ladies,
and deigned to forget that they were ([ueens while remember-
iiig that they were women. That is to sav, they pitilessly
picked to pieces every petticoat, as Moliere would have said.
^ The looks of both princesses fell simultaneously upon La
Valhcre, who, as we hav.- said, was completely surrounded at
that moment. Madame was without mercy.
THE LOTTERY.
878
"Really," said she, leaning to- anls the qneeii mother, "if
Chance were just she would favor that j.oor little La Vallii're."'
"That is not possible,'" said tiie nueen mother, smiliii"
" Why not?'-
"There are only two hundred tickets, so that every one
eannot be on the list."'
" Is she not ';' "
" Xo."
" What a pity ! She miprht have won them and sold them."
" Sold them ! "" exclaimed the Queen.
" Yes ; that would have brought her a dowrv, and she
would not have to marry without a trousseau, as will probably
happen."'
"Ah, bah! Really? Poor little one!"" said the queen
mother. " Has she no dresses ?"" And she uttered the words
like a woman who has never known what it is to be without
niofiey.
" Why, look ! I think, God forgive me ! that she is wearing
this evening the same skirt she wore this morning on the
drive, and which she must have jjreserved, thanks to the care
the King took to shield her from the rain."
Just as Madame spoke the King entered.
The two princesses would not perhaps have seen his arrival,
taken up as they were with their gossiping, had not Madame
seen La Valhere, who was standing up facing the gallery, sud-
ihn\\y grow confused and say a few words to the courtiers
about her, who immediately dispersed. This movement at-
tracted Madair.e's eyes to the door. At that moment the
captain of the guards announced the King.
La Valliere, who until then had had her eyes fixed on the
gallery, suddenly dropped them.
The King entered. He was dressed with magnificence and
taste, and was conversing with Monsieur and the Due de
INxpielaure. Monsieur was on his right ana the Due de
lioquelaure on his left.
The King advanced first to the queens, whom he saluted with
graceful resi)ect. He took his mother's hand, kissed it, ad-
dressed a few compliments to Madame on the 'oeauty of her
costume, and then began to make the rounds of the assembly.
La Valliere was saluted like the others; no more, no less.
Then his Majesty returned to his mother and his wife.
When the courtiers saw that the King had addressed only an
li&
S^^^ZMi^^mm
374
THE VICOMTE !)/■: liltAGELOSXK.
r^T
I
ordinary loniaik to tlio young f:;irl wlio liad been so especially
noticed in the nioiiiing they immediately drew their own con-
clusions as to this cohlness. The conclusion was that the King
had liad a l'auc\ but that it was already over.
However, one thinj^ must be stated — that ainoni^ the court-
iers around La V'alliere was M. Fouquet, whose respectful
manner served to sustain the young girl in the midst of the
various emotions that visibly agitated her.
Moreover, M. Fouquet was about to speak intimately with
Madeiniuselle de la Valliere when M. Colbert approached and,
having bowed to Fouquet with the most formal politeness,
seemed to decide to stand near La Valliere for the purpose of
entering into conversation with her.
Fouquet at once withdrew.
All these proceedings were devoured by the eyes of Montalais
and Malicorne, who exchanged looks on the subject.
l)e (iuiche, standing within the embrasure of a winW)vv, saw
no one but Madame. Since Madame, howevar, g' iced fre-
quently at La Valliere, the eyes of l)e (ruiche foiiu..ing Ma-
dame's were turned from lime to time on the young girl.
La V.dli^re instinctively felt herself sinking beneath the
weight of all those glances, some of which were inspired by
self-interest, others by envy. To compensate her for her suffer-
ings she bad neither a kind word from her companions nor a
loving glance from the King. What the young girl was suf-
fering no one could describe.
The queen mother then had the table brought out on which
were the lottery tickets, two hundred in number, and begged
Madame de ^fotteville to read the list of names. As a matter
of course, the list had been drawn up according to the laws of
etiquette ; the King's name came first, then the queen mother's,
then the Queen's, then Monsieur's, then Madame's, and so on.
Every heart throbbed as the reading continued. There had
been more than three hundred invited to the queen's. Each
was wondering if his name would be of the privileged number.
The King listened with as much attention as tlie others.
When the last name had been read, he saw that La Valliere's
was not on the list. Every one, for that matter, had noticed
the omission. The King flushed, as though annoyed.
La Valliere, sweet and submissive, showed no feeling.
During the reading the King had not taken his eyes from
her, and the young girl seemed to expand beneath tiie happy
THE LOTTIUIY.
375
influence which she felt was spreading around her, too happy
and too pure for any other tlionght besides that of hjve to
enter her mind or heart.
Acknowlcdirjng this touching self-denial by his lingering
glance, the King showed the girl he loved that he appreiiatcd
tiie extent of its delicacy.
The list finished, the faces of the women who had been
omitted or forgotten showed thei disappointment.
Malicorne, among the men, was also left out, and liis grim-
ace said clearly to Montalais, who was also omitted :
"Cannot we arrange with Chance so that slie will not for-
get us ? " to which the intelligent smilo of Mademoiselle Aure
replied :
'•Why, yes."
The tickets were distributed to each, according to his num-
ber.
The King received his first, then the (pieeu mother, then
Monsieur, then the Queen, then Madame, and so on.
Then Anne of Austria opened a small Sjianish leather bag
containing two hundred numbers engraved upon mother of
l)earl balls, and handed the open bag to the youngest of her
maids of honor, that she might draw out a ball.
The expectation of those present, amidst all these slow prep-
arations, was one of cupidity rather tiian curit)sity.
Saint-Aignan leaned towards Mademoiselle " de Tonnay-
Charente.
" Since each of us has a number, mademoiselle," said he,
" let us unite our two chances. The bracelet is yours if I
'.vin ; if you win, a single glance from your beautiful eyes is
mine."
^ "No," said Athenais, "the bracelet is yours if you win it.
I'^ach one for himself."
" Yoir are pitiless," said Saint-Aignan, " and I will punish
you by a quatrain :
"Lovely Iri.s, 'gainst my vows
Yon rebel too nj-oh — "
" Keep still,'" said Athenais, " you will prevent my hearing
the lucky number."
" Number one," said the young girl, who had drawn the first
ball from the bag.
" The King ! " exclaimed the queen mother.
r
%
37G
THE rtcoMTi: ni-: hiiagiiloxxk.
" Tlio Kin;^' has won,'' i-fpeatod tlio (^)inM'n. jnyfiilly.
" '1 iic Kiii^'I Your (Ireaiu I ■■ wliisptMvd ^ia(lalll(', with de-
light, iiiti) till- Par of Anne of Austria.
The Kiui^ alouc did not sliow any pleasure.
lie merely rhauk.'d < 'haiiee iov what she had done for iiiiu
hy bowiiii,' sli-litly to the young girl who liad been chosen as a
proxy for the goddess.
Then receiving from the hamls of .\nne of .\nstria. amid the
eager murmurs of the whole as.send)ly, the casket which con-
tained the bracelets, he said:
'• Are they rciUy beautiful'.'"'
" Look at them,"' said Anne of Austria, •' and iudge for vour-
self.
The King looked at them.
"Yes, indeed,'" said lie, '-admirable medallions! \Vhat
liiiish 1 '"
'■ What finish 1 " repeated Madame.
Queen Maria Teresa saw at the first glance that the King
was not going to offer the bracelets to her ; but since he did
not seem in the least to think of offe---' them to Madame, she
felt satisfit>(l, or almost so.
The King seated himself.
The most intimate of the eonrtiers approached, one by one,
to admire more closely the methillions, which soon, with the
King's i>ermission, were passed from liaiid to hand. Immedi-
ately every one, connoisseurs or otherwise, exclaimed in sur-
prise, and showered congratulations upon the King. There
were beauties for every one to admire: the stones for some,
the workmanship for others.
The ladies visibly displayed their impatience at seeing such
a treasure monopolized by the gentlemen.
" tJentlemen, gentlemen."" said the King, whom nothing
e.seajied, "'one would almost think that yon wore bracelets, as
the Sabines used to do. I'ass them on to the ladies, wiio seem
to me to have an excuse for understanding such matters better
than you (h)."
These words .seemed to Afadanie to portend a decision she
was ex[.ecting. Moreover, she drew this happy conclusion from
the eyes of the (pieen mother.
The courtier who was holding them at the moment when the
King made this remark hastenecl in the general excitement to
placi! the bracelets in the hands of Queen Maria Teresa, who,
THI-: LOTTERY.
877
knowing too well, poor woman, that tliey woiv not meant for
lu'^ scarcely looked at them and passed them almost at once
to .Madame.
The latter, and more particularly still Monsieur, gave the
l.racelets a long, eager look. Then Madame han.led them ^ .
the next ladies, uttering one w, nl, butm a tone that was eciual
to a whole sentence, " Magnificent ! '"
The ladies who had received the bracelets fn.ni the hands
"t -Madame took their time in examining them, then passed
them on to the right.
Meanwhile the King was talking tran-piillv with De fJuiche
and I'ouquet, allowing them to talk rather than givii..^ them
any attention. Accustomed to certain phrases, his ear like
that of all men who exercise over others an incontestil)lo'supe-
n.>nty, seized from tlie various conversations i,'oiug on about
him only the indis|iensable word that requires a reply His
attention was elsewhere; it wandered with liis eyes. ""
Mademoiselle de Tonnay-Charente was the las^ of the ladles
on tiie list, and as if she were ranked according to tlie position
-u-en lier ther-., only Montalais and La V'alliere foUowe.l her
^^ hen the bracelets readied the last two no one was paying
any attention to them. The Ininible hands which for the' mo-
ment held the jewels dej. rived them of their value This
however, did not jtrevent Montalais from givin-r a start of
plcasu-e and envious longing at sight of the beautiful stones
themselves, even more than at the beautiful workmanshii)
It was evident that if she had been called upon to decide
between their pecuniary value and their artistic beauty, Monta-
lais would unhesitatingly have preferred the diamonds to the
cameos. So it was with great reluctance that she handed them
to her companion. La Valliere, who glanced at thein almost
with indifference.
"Oh, how ! autiful, how magnificent they are!'' exclaimed
Montalais, "and you do not rave over them. Loui.se ! Why
really you are no woman I " ' '
" Yes, I am," replied the young girl, with an adorable a.'cent
ot melancholy. " But why desire what we cannot have ? "•
The King, with head bent forward, was listening to what
the young girl wns saying.
Scarcely had the vibration of her voice reached his ear when
he rose radiant, and traversing the entire circle to reach La
\ alliere, said :
lii
!l
:.'r _ i j.^-- ^
»;■
SI. .,
378
7///; ViritMTE /)/.; BRAaKLONSI-:.
'• Madcninisfll'-, yiui arc ui'stakcii. Von arc a woman, and
ovpry woiiKiii lias tlic lij^lit to a woman's jewfls."
"Oil, Sire," saiil La Viillirio, "yonr Maifsty. tlinri, ilocs not
absolutely holiovo in my modesty '.'"
" I believe that yon have all the virtues, madrmDiselle.
fr;nd\ness amon^' tlnni ; I entreat you, theret'oic, to sav
frankly wliat you think of these braeelets."'
" They are beautiful, Sire, and could be offered only to a
queen.''
"I am deliglited that sucli is your opinion, mademoiselle;
tlie braeolets are yours, and the Kini,' bei;s you to aecej.t tliem.''
And as, with a movement re.send)Iin<.j terror. I-a Valliere
quickly held out the casket to the lvin,i,', Louis gently i)ushed
back tlio trend)lini,' hand of La Vailicre.
A silence of astonisliment more gloomy than that of death
reigned throughout the room. And yet from where tlifi
(lueen^ were sitting no one lunl heard what had been said, or
li:i.i understood what had been done.
A charital)le friend, however, undertook to spread the news.
This was Tonnay-Charente, whom ^hldame had signed to
approach.
"Great Heavens!" e.xclaimed Tonnay-('harente. •' How
lucky tliat La Valliere is ! Tlie King has just given her the
bracelets."'
jNfadame bit her lips until the blood came.
The young Queen hxjked first at T,a Valliere, then at Ma-
dame, and began to laugh.
Anne of Austria rested her (diin upon her beautiful white
hand and remained for a long time absorbed by a suspicion
which filled her mind, and by a frightful pain which was
gnawing at her heart.
Seeing >Lulame turn pale, and guessing the cause, T>e
Guiche hurriedly left the room and disappeared.
iMalicorne was then able to glide up to Montalais, and under
cover of the general outbreak of conversation to say to her :
*' Aure, you have near you our fortune and our future.''
" Ves," she rei)lied.
And .she tenderly embraced La Valliere, whom in her heart
she was moved to strangle.
MA/.-inA.
37lt
m
CHAPTER XL VII.
MALA(iA.
])ruiN(i all this loiii; and violent dehato botwopti jxilitirs
;uh1 1i)vp, one of our charactors, ]crhaiis tlic one least deseiv-
iiiL,' of iie<,'lect, has been very iimch iie^i,de(ted, very niucli lor-
giitten, very unliaiipy.
In fact, D'Artaynan, for we must call hini by his name in
order to remind our readers of his existence, I)"Aita;,'naii had
altsolutely no -)laee in this brilliant world. ]Iaviu<r"loll()wed
the Kmi<,' fortwodays at Fontainebleau, and !i;ivin-< noticed all
the pastoral fancies and hero-crjuiic transformations of his
si.vereign, the musketeer felt that he needed something more
than that to satisfy his life.
Assailed at every instant by people who asked Idm : '• How
ilo you think this coat suits 'me, Af. (rArtagnau'.' " he would
reply to them in his i)lacid, but sarcastic tones :
'• Wh\, I think you are as well dressed as the handsomest
a])e at the fair of Saint-Laurent.''
This was the compliment D'Artagnan would make when he
did not wish to make any other, and whether pleased or not,
he who received it had to be contented.
When any one asked him :
'• -M. d'.Vrtagnan, how are you going to dress this evering'.'"'
he would answer: " I am going to undress," whiih made even
the ladies laugh.
Ihit after a couple of days spent in this way, the nnisketeer.
seeing that nothing serious was likely to occur, and that the
King had completely, or at least appeared to have completelv,
forgotten I'aris, Saint->Lande, and I'.ellc-Isle; that M. Colbert
was occupied with illuminations and fireworks; that for a
month more, at least, the ladie« >v.d glances to bestow and to
receive — D'Artagnan asked the King for leave (f absence on
matters of private interest.
At the time D'Artagnan made his request the King was
■ihout to go to sleep, worn out from dancing.
'< You wish to leave me, ^L d'Artagnrji '.' " saiil the King in
;i tone of surprise.
Louis XIV. could never understand how any one who might
have the honor of staying near him could wish to leave.
Hi
f
m)
THE ViroMTE hE lUlAaEI.OSXR.
•.^S•■*^^
1^:
W I
•'Siro,'' saiil IVArta<^iiaii, "I leave you because I am of ik;
use to you. If I <'oul(l only hold tiie halaiiciiiL; pole while yo i
(lauced, that would he dif't'ereiit."'
" liut, my dear M. d'Ai'tajruan," it'iilied the Kiui;, ^'ravely,
" wo dance without halaiu-ing poh's."
" Ah, indeed," said the nui. ketecr, witli Ins almost imper-
ceptible tone of irony, " I liad no idea of that.''
" Y<iU hav(! not seen me dance, then '.' " said tlie Kiuj^.
'• Ves, but I tii()u,L;ht tliat dancin.^ always ^rew harder and
liarder. I was mistaken. .\11 the moic leasoii for my leav-
ing'. Sire, I repeat, you do not need me. And if your
Majesty slutuld need me you will know where to iind me.''
'• Wry y;ood,'' said the King, and f,'rar.tod tlic leave of
absence.
We shall not look for D'Arta<;nan, therefore, at lontaine-
bleaii. for that would be useless; but witii our reader's i)ermis-
sion we will follow him to the Kue des Lombards at the Tdon
d'Or, in the house of our old friend Planchet.
It w;i,s eight o'clock in the evening and warm ; a single win-
dow \\ s open in a room on the entresol.
.\n odor of spices mingled with another (jilor less exotic but
more luMietrating from the street, rose to the nostrils of the
musketeer.
Reclining in a great straight-backed chaii, with his legs not
stretched out, but resting on a stool, li'Artagnan formed the
most obtuse angle imaginable.
His eyes, usually so quick and changeab'.e, were fixed, al-
most closed, and were gazing u})on a small corner of blue
sky that could be seen through the o[)euiugs of the chim-
neys. There was just enough blue to till one of the sacks of
lentils or beans which formed the principal furniture of the
ground floor of the shop.
Thus stretched out and sheltered in his place of observation
D'Artagnan was no longer a soldier, no longer an officer of the
palace, but a citizen in a state of stagnation betwe i dinner
and sui)i)er and supper and dinner; one of those strong ossified
brains which have no room f'(jr a single idea, so fiercely does
aninuil inatter watch at the gates of intelligence inspecting the
contraband trade which might result from the introduction
into the brain of a symptom of thought.
We have said that it was night. The shops were being
lighted and the windows <»t' the upper apartments closed ; the
MALAGA.
3S1
i
irregular stops of a i)at,rf)l ol sdldicrs (•(mstiliitiiig tlio night
watch couhl be heard.
D'Artagiian coiitiimod to liear nothing, and to see nothing
rx<('|)t the corner of hlno skv.
A few feet away in the dark, lying upon his stomacli upon
;i sack of Indian corn, was I'i.inciiet, witii both arms under
his chin, watching D'Artagnan as he sat thinking, dreaming, or
sleeping with open eyes.
His observation lasted for some time. Finally he ended it
liv saving :
'•• liuni!"
l>".\rtagnan did not stir.
I'huudiet tiien saw that it was necessary to resort to more
stringent resources; after deep reflection 'the most ingenious
means under the present circumstances that suggested them-
selves t<) him was to let himself roll otf his sack upon the floor,
iniirmuring against himself the word:
" Imbecile."
liiit notwithstaniHng the noise produced hy Flanchet's fall,
l>"Artagnan, who in the course of his existence had heard many
noises, did not ajipear to i)ay the least attention. Moreover,
an enormous cart laden with stones going from the Kue Saint-
Mederic drowned the sound of I'lanchefs fall. Vet I'laiu-het
iliuiight that in token of tacit approval he saw him smile im-
perceptibly at the word " imbecile."
This emlxddened him to say:
'•Are you asleep, M. d'Artagnan ?'"
"No, I'lanchet, 1 am not frni asleep," replied the mus-
keteer.
'• I am in despair," said I'lanchet, •• at having heard you use
llie word ' rreii.' "
" Well, why not •.' Is not the word a good one. Master
I'lanchet ?"
" Ves, M. d'Artagnan."
" Well ? "■
'' Well, the word distresses me."
•■Explain why yo.i are distressed, Planchet," said D'Ar-
tagnan.
" If you say yo^ do not frm sleep, it is as if you said vou
'lid not have the consolation of sleeping, or. rather, it is as if
you said, ' Planchet, I am bored to death.' "
" Planchet, you know that I am never bored to death.''
38:
Tin: viroMTi: i)i: nii.\(;i:i.<>ssi:.
c
»'
" lv\co|vt tn-(l;iv ;iii(l tlic (luv liftoic \ <'steril;iv."
"Uuli:"
'• M. (r.\rt;i;,'ii;iii, it is ;i week siiici! voii retunifil from
l'()iitiiiiH'l)li>;iii ; it is ;i week since yui 1ih\i- tjivcii oi'dors or
drilled your (•(niiumiN . \'i'\\ miss tiif sn:iiiu dt iiinskets and
dnniis ami tin' i unt'iisiiMi of foiirl lil'c ; I, who Ir.ve carried a
gun, can understand that.''
" I'lancliet." re[)lied D'Artai^nan, '• I rissni'e you that I am
not in the h'ast bored.'"
" 'I'lien what art! \()u doin^^ Ivint,' there as if you were
(lead '.' '•
'• .My dear I'lanchet, there was at the sic^'e of La Ko( helle
when I was there, when you were there, wlien we were there
toj^ether. an Arab renowned for the way in which he adjusted
oulverins. He was a clever fellow, althoui,'!] of a stranj?e
complexion, which was the same as your olives. \\'ell, this
Arab when he liad enteied, eating or working, used to lie
down, as I am doing now, and smoke I do not know what
kind of n:agic leaves in a large amber-mouthed tid)e, and if any
oiticer hapjiening to jiass reproached liiiu tor always sleeping,
lie would answer quietly, ' ISetter to sit down than to stand
up ; better to lie down than to sit ; better to be dead than to
lie down.' "
" He was a melancholy Arab, judging both fro. his com-
plexion and his remarks,'' said I'lanchet. "1 remend)er him
perfectly. He used to cut off the heads of the I'rotestants
with great glee."'
" Exactly ; and then he embalmed them if they were worth
the trouble."
'' Ves ; and when he was working at this embalming, with
all his herbs and his filants, he lof)ked like a basket-nuiker
making baskets.'"
'• Yes, I'laiudiet, he certainly did."'
" I, too, have a memory.''
" I do not doid)t it ; but what do you think of his phil-
osupliy ? "
" Monsieur, I find it excellent in one sense, but stupid in
another."
" Explain, Tlanchet ; explain."
" Well, monsieur; better to be seated than standing is plain
enough, esj.ecially when one is tired."' .\nd Planehet smiled
mischievously. '• 1 Setter to be Iving down than sitting, ves.
Mi LA a A.
.']«3
m
As for tho last pnipositioii, ht'ttfr ti> ht- dead tlian lviii<,' dnwii,
I consider that alisurd, my uiidoiilitiMl iiri'lciciii'c liciiii,' for
my IkmI. And if yon arc not of my opinion it is, as I have liad
till- lionor to tell yon, hccansc yon are lutrcil."
" I'lanclwt, do yon know M. la Fontaine '.' '
" Tlic elieniist at llie ( oi'ner of the Kue Saiiit-.Mederie '' "
"No; the writer of fables."'
"(»h, Maitre Corhean ""
" Kxactly." " Well, I am like his hare."
" He has a hare too, then '.' "
" We has all sorts of animals.''
" Well, what does his hare do?"
"It thinks."
"Ah! ah!"
" I'lanchet, I am like ^r. la Fontaine's Iniro ; I am think-
int,'."
" Y'ou are thinkini,' ? " asked I'laiiehet, anxionsly.
" Ves : yonr house, I'lanehet, is f,'loomy enough to drive one
t<i thinking. Yon will admit that, I hope'.'"
" Vet, monsieur, we have an ontlook uv. the street."
" Ves, and that 's so interesting."
" It is nevertheless true, monsieur, tliat if yon were living at
the back of the house you would be bored ; I mean you would
think still more."
" Faitli, 1 don't know about that, l'lan( het."'
" Still," said the grocer, "if your thoughts are of the kind
whicli led you to the restoration of King Charles II. - ""
And I'lanchet gave a little laugh whicli was not without
meaning.
"Ah, Vlancliet, try frieii<l," said D'Artagnan, ■• yon are
growing ambitious."
" Is there no other king to be restored, M. d'Aitagnan '.' no
other Monk to be put into a box '.' "'
"No, my dear I'lanchet, all the kings are on tlu ir thrones,
less comfortable, perhaps, than 1 am on this chair, but on theni
nevertheless."
And D'Artagnan heaved a sigh.
" M. d'Artagnan,'" said I'lanchet, "you are distressinc me."
" Vou are very good, I'lanchet."
" God forgive me, but I have a suspicion."
" What is it '.' "
" M. d'Artagnan, you are getting thin."
Si
■
:i84
////. iKdMii: i>i: iii:M.!,i.i,.\.\i:.
u
"Oh." sal'l D'Art.iK'iiuii. stnkiiiuc liin dirst, wliidi r.'suiiinl.Ml
likf iiii iMiipty tiiirass. •■ that is ii t j..,ssih!.', I'laiicli.'t;'
" \li, v.Mi see," said I'laiiclii't. with .•Ifiisi • tliat if ' ,,„
were to p-t thin in mv liuusc - "'
"W.«l|-."'
" Wi'll. I \\n;ii,l (h) soiPfthitiij ra.sh.''
" Vfs."
" Wliat wiiiild you (h)'.' 'I'oll ,„p ••
• I wiHild liiid tlic man wim caiisod yinir aiixictv."
" So i am anxious, am I '/ "'
" \'<'s, you aic.'"
" No, I'lamlict, no."
" I t»dl you, you aio. you ar." atixious. ;'jid vou arc -cttin.'
thill." ' "^ ^
'• Arn you sure that I am tccttin;^' tliin •.' "
" Visihly. .Mahiira! If you k(i|) .1 ._',.ttini,r tliin I will take
my sword and I will -o straight t.. Ai. d'll.Ml.lav and cut his
throat.'
"What'.'" .said D'Arta-nan. Ix.unding from Ins .hair,
'■ \\ liat arc you saym.Lr. rianchct '.' and what ha.s M. d'llcrhlay's
name to do with your ^'roccrv store ? "
"(Jood: t;ct aii,i,My if you' will, mali-n mc if you will, hut
damnation: I know wh.it I know."'
Durin- I'lanchefs s.v.md outburst |)-.Vrta-nan had placed
hiinselt so that he would not hise a sint,'lc look: that is, he s^t
with both Iiands <m his knees, his h.-ad' Mret.hed ..ut ti. wards
tJic worthy i,'r(icci-.
"Come, exphiin yourself," sai.l he, -and tell n,c how v.ni
eame to utter such a blaspliemy. M. d'Hcrbhiv. vour'old
master, my friend, a chundiman, ;i musketeer turned bishop. -
you would raise your sword a-ainsl liim, riamhet V "
•• I woidd raise my sword a-ainst my father if I saw you in
your present state."
" jr. d'Herblay, a <,'entleman '.' "
"Hisbeim,'a p-ntlcman m.akes no dittVrencc to me lie
Kiv-es you the blue .levils. tlnit 's all I know. And when one
has the blue .levils one jj^eis thin. Malacca ! I am not will-
ing that M. irArta.<,Mian sli.juhl leave my house thinner tlian
when he entered it."
"How .l.)es he give me the blue .levils'.' Come, explain
yourself." '
W.IA.IOVI.
a«o
" You have had the ni^'htii-aro for throe iii>^hts "
'• I ■.' '•
" Yes, you. And in your ni'^'htniaii' ynu I'Moii out scvoial
Mines, ' Araniis I tn-ai licronH Araniis ! ' "
••I sai<l that'.'" askfsl I)'Artaf,'naM, ninMsily.
" Yps, (HI my Iidimr.''
" Wfll, what If I did.' Y(Hi know tht' [.roVHrl., my triond.
' l>n'ains ^'l) liy contnirics.' ''
•• No, for fvciy timt' you Imvc p)Mt' out duiiii^; tlic lust tliit'c
(hiys. yon have not failed to ask lut' on you;- rt'tuin, • Have
you seen M. irilcihlay '.' " or ■ l|;ivc you Vec''ivt'<l an*' i.Mtci.s
for me from .M. d'Herhlay '.' • •' "
" It seems to me very natural that I sliuuld take an interest
in Ihi.s dear friend," said I)'Art,if,Mian.
'• Ves, Idit not to the point of K»'ttin},' thin al.oiit hi-n."
" I'lanehel, I will ^,'et fat. I ^nve you my woid of no: or."
"Yery well, monsieur, I accept it, for I know that w hen
you Kive _\our word ni honor it is sacred."
'' I will not dream of Aranus anv UKue."
" Yery ^'ood .' "
" I will not ask von anv more if there are letters from M
(VHerhlay."
" Very jrood .' ''
" Ihit you must explain one tiling to me. '
" Speak, nninsieur.''
'' 1 am a close observer."
"I know that."
" And just now you used a strange oatli. wliicli is unusual
'r> yo'i "
" You mean • Malaga ' ? "
" Exactly."
" It is the oath I have used ever since I have l)een a grocer."
" Yes, it is the name of a grape."
" It is my most ferocious oath. When I have once said
'Malaga!" I am no hjiiger a man.''
'•Still, I never heard yon use that oath before."
" No, monsieur, it was given to me."
And as he spoke, I'lanchet winked with an expression of
cunning which roused D'Arlagnan's curiosity.
"Weir.'" said he.
J'lanchet repeated, '• Well '.' "
" Come, come, M. I'lauchet ! "
fy » ,1
!l
Vol IT _f)1
380
77//; vn:i).\iiE de BHAdEi.osxi:.
B'i
dHR f
3
<
h
I f
"The (lenoe, monsieur ! I am not like you, I iluu't spend
my life in tliinkinj;."
" Vou are wrom;."
*' I mean in Xmw^ bored, monsieur. \\'e have hut- a short
time to live. Why not make ilie most ol' it '.' "
" Vou are an eiiieun;in iihilosoplier. ai>]iarently. I'lanchet."'
"Why not'.' .My hanil is tirm, I write ami I \veii;li my
snrrar and spices; my loot is sure, 1 can dance and walk; mV
stomach has its teeth, 1 ciin eat and dij,'e.-.t ; my heart is not
quite luirdened. Well, monsieur ".' "
" Well, wlmt. i'lanchet •.'"
" Ah, that's it," said the Kf<H-ei'. rul)liin,L,' liis hands.
I)'.\rta,<rnan crossed one lei,' over the otluu-.
'• I'lanchet, my friend,"' said he, "you Luiuerve me with sur-
prise."
" Why '.' •'
" Hecause you are revealing yourself to lue iu ;ni iilisolulely
new li;4ht.''
I'iauclu't, high!.- Mattered, continued t.i ruh his liunds to-
gether sii luird that he must liave huit tlic skin.
"Ail," said he, •• liecause 1 am uniy ;iu aninud mju think
tluit I must be an imbecile."
" (.MHid, I'iancliet. Tliere is hjgic ■'! that."
" Folhnv my th(Might, monsieur. I said to myself," continued
I'lanchet, "tliat without jileasure liiere is no hajjpiness on
this earth."
" Wlutt you say is very true, I'laiu-het," interrupted D'.Vr-
tagiian.
•• Now let ns get, if not jileasiire, — for i»le;isure is no com-
mon thing, — consolation a^ least."
" And you console your.seIf ? "
" Exactly."
" Tell me how."'
" I put on a buckler and go and tight the f u^my : f calculate
my time of endunince, and the eve of the day on which I am
about to lie lioreil I amuse mvself."'
" Is it no more ditiicult tlian that?"'
"No."
"Did vou tuid it out all alone"/"
"All alone."
" That is miraculous.'"
'What do Vou tliink of i*- ^ --
.U.I/..l^•.(.
;5«7
•' I tliiiik tliiit v.,iir pliil,,M,,,li_v is withniit larallf'l.'"
" \\oll. Ilioii, fdlldw my oxuiiiiile."
" It is tt'iiij)liiii,'.''
'- Dn as I do."'
•• I woiilW ask notl.ing Letter, but all minds are „.,t of the
same slamp a.,.! perhaps if I had to amuse inyself as vou do
1 might be liorrdjlv bored."
"i^ah! Try it JHr.sf'
" ^Vell, what do you do ? "'
1 y|!J?/"" ""^''■^'^ ^''•''^ ^ '''"' «o'"etime.s away from home ? "
" At anv particular time V "
'• Periodically.'-
" That "s it. Vou liave noticed it."
'•-My dear I'lanchet. you must understand that when people
are accustomed to see each other everv dav. when one is
away the other misses him. Do you nut miss me when ] am
in tlie country ? '
" Immensely. I am like a body without a soul "
" Ihat settled, let us j)roceed."
'' AA'hen do I go away '.' '"
" The fifteenth and the thirtieth of every month."
'* And I remain away ? "
" Sometimes two, sometimes three, sometimes four days "
" \\ hat do you think I am doiii'r •> "'
" Looking after your debts."'
" ;^"'l oil my return what do you think of my face " "
" J hat It appears verv well satisfied."
" You see you yourself admit that I always look satisfied,
lo what have you attributed this satisfaction V ''
"To the fact that your business is prospering; to the fact
hat your purchases of rice, prunes, sugar, dried aj.ples, and
trea.de are se hug well. You were always very picturesque
HI your Ideas, IMamd.et, ,so I was not at all suriJiled to fi^nd
yo,i had chosen the grocery business, which is one of the most
varied of trades an.l the most pleasant, in that one handles
almost all natural and perfumed products."
" Well spoken, monsieur; but how mistaken you are'"
" How so '.' "
t^r'I^Vl!" ■■ '? ^^''f ^''\^' ^ ^'° ^^'"^^ ^''^'y fortnight on nuit-
teis of rece.j.ts and purchases. Oh, monsieur, how the devil
could you think uich a thing ? Oh ! Oli ! Oh : "
.Hi
I
IT
11
I
%■ .;■%■ :
1 ,
4---
388
THE VIcnM'rE DE HI! A'i E/.n\XE.
* ■
••ft:
ittMl:
2
Ami IMauchet began to laugh in a way that, inspired D'Ar-
tagnan with serious doubts as to his intelligence.
" I confess," said the musketeer, •■ tii.it 1 am not abh; to
understand you."
" Monsieur, that is true."
" What do you mean by ' that is true ' '.' ''
" It must be true since you say it; but be assured that it in
no way lessens my opinion of ymi "
" Ah, that is foVtunate."
" No, yon are a man of genius, and wheneser it is a question
of war, of surprises, of tactics, and of con]is-de-main, why,
kings are as nothing compared with yon. Unt I'or ie[)ose of
soul, care of the b(xly, I'om forts of life, if one mav so speak, ah,
monsieur! don't talk to me about men of genius, they are
their own executioners.''
'•Good, rianchet,'" said D'Artagnan, tilled with curiosity,
" yon interest me intensely."
" Vou already feel less bored than vou did jnst now, do you
not?"
" I was not bored, but since you have been talking to me I
have been nuich more intereste(l."
•' Come, now, that 's a g(jod beginning. I shall cure you, I
am sure."
" I would ask nothing better.''
" Do yon want me to try ? "
" At once.''
Very well. Have you any horses here?"
" Ves : ten, twenty, thirty."
'" There is no need for so many as that. Two will be enough."
"They are at your disposal, IMancbet."
" (Jood. Then I shall take you away with me."
" When ? "
"To-morrow."
" Where ? "
" Ah, you ask too much ! ''
" Yet yon will admit the importance of my knowing where
I am to be taken ? "
" Do you like the country ? "
" Only moderately, Planchet."'
" Do you like the town ? "
" That depends."
^fAL.l(;A.
880
"Well; I am going to take you to a jjlace half town, half
COUIltlV."
" To a i-lace where you will he amused, 1 am sure."
'• lietter still."
" And, wonderful as it may he, from which vou have just
returned, to he hored here."
" I hored '.' "
" Yes, mortally.''
" Is it to Fontainehloau that you are going, then ? "
"Exactly; Fontainehleau.''
" You are going to Fontainehleau ? "
" Yes."
" And in Heaven's name what are you going to do there ?"
rianchet answered D'Artagnan by'a niischiev(/us wink.
" You have some prope.ty there, "you rascal."'
" 01), a wretched little place, — a mere hovel."
" I understand."
" Hut it is decent, upon my word."
"I am going to PlaucheVs eountry seat!" cried D'Arta-
gnan.
" Whenever you like."
'• Did we not set to-morrow ? "
"To-morrow it shall he. Moreover, to-morrow is the 14th,
— that is, the evening before the day on which I am afraid of
being bored ; so it is settled, then ? "
" Yes."
" You will lend me one of your horses '^ "
"The best."
" iSTo, I prefer the gentlest. I never was a good rider, as yon
know, aril in the grocery business I have become more awkward
than ever, iiesides — "
" Besides, what '.' "
" Besides," added Planchet, with another wink, " I do iiot
wish to tire myself."
" Why nut •' " ventured D'Artagnan.
" Because then I could not amuse myself," replied Planchet.
Thereupon he arose from his sack of corn and stretched him-
self, making all his bones crack one after the other, in harmony
as it were.
" Planchet. Planchet," cried D'Artagnan, « I declare there is
not on this earth a sybarite who can be compared with you.
1
if '11
3<I0
Tin: VliOMTi: I>E nn.\:EI.()SSE.
mi
rj,>
3)
tlie iiuiskctfi'r
shoi' whicli he
All, I'laiH'lict, it is pjisil} seen that we liavt; not \i't (• mi a ton
o\ salt tdgt'tlioi'."'
'• W\\y so, iHoiisieur ';' ''
•• IJiHiuisc I (1(1 not yet v\- vou," said 1)' Arta^ciiaii, "and
iK'caiisc as a inatttu' ot fan 1 iftiini to the oiiiiiiou wliicdi I
lield for ail instant one day wlifu at I'>oii!oij;ne you straii.i^led or
aliuost straii,-,detl Lu'iin, .M. d\' \\'ardes" valet. I'lanchet, yoa
are a man of resouii-es."
riaiichct hegau to lau'^li ccincfitedly, liade
i,'Ood-ni^ht, and went down to the rear of his
used as a sleejiing-room.
D'Aitagiiau resumed his former position upon his eliair, and
liis forehead, uiirnllieu for an instant, hecanie more jiensive than
ever. He had already forgotten the whims and dreams of
J'lanehet.
'• Yes," said lie to liimself, taki::g up the thread of Ids
tlicught, whieh liad heen broken by tlie agreeable conversation
in wiiiih the reader has just jiartieipate(h <• Yes, it's all
eompri-ed in this: tirst, to tind out what liaisenieaux wanted
with A ramis ; second, to know why Arainis does not let me hear
from him : third, to know where I'orthos is. The whole mys-
tery is found in these three. Now,"' continued D'Artagnan,
'• since our friends tell us nothing let us resort to our own
jjoor intelligence, We will do what we can. Mordioitx ! or
Malaya! as Planchet says.''
CHAPTER XLVIII.
THK I.KTTEil FKOM M. DK liAISF.MK.VfX.
Faitiikii. to his plan, D'Artagnan went the next morning
to pay a visit to M. de Uahsemeaiix.
It was cleaning-up day at tlie Bastille ; the cannons were
V)eir.g cleaned and polished, tlie stairways swept; the jailers
seemed ^o be busy rubbing up even the keys.
As for the soldiers of the garrison, they were walking up and
down in their court-yards assuming that they were clean enough.
The goveriKH-, P>aiseiueaiix, received D'Artagnan most polite-
ly ; but he acted with so nuudi reserve that all of D'lVrtaguau's
tact failed to get a syllable out of him.
Till-: LF.TTEit FiioM .\[. 1)1-: ]',M si:\i i:a r X. 391
The more lio kopt liimsclf within IkmimiIs tin' iiioio D'Ar-
tMi^niaifs suspicidiis were uroiisoil. 'i'li.. luiter evoii tlii)ii;Hit lie
iioticf'il that tlio !,'()Vfrii()r was actiii.i,' i.y virtue ..f a r.'ce;.! siilj-
,t;cNtinii. The l!ai.seiin>aux of tlie rahiis-IIoval hail iii.f scuhhI
to l>'.Vrtaj,Mian tlie same eohl and iuipenetra'ble man as was the
Uaiscnieaux nf tlie llastille.
When D'ArtaLMian wished to make i'.aisemeanx talk about
the ui-,i,'ent n<>ed lor money which had led jiim to seek Araniis
and had made iiini expansive that evenin,t,', ISaisenieanx. in spite
of everythin.i,', pretended that ho had some (,rdors to ^dve
ill the prison and kept l)'Artaj,'iiaii waitini,' so Ioiilc for him
that our musketeer, sure that he would not L:et anotlier word
out of him, left the I'.astille before Baisemeaux returned from
his inspection.
i'.ut l)'Arta,i,niaii had a suspicion, and once roused, his mind
could not rest. He was aiiioiii; hkmi what the cat is among
(inadrupeds, the embodiment of I'cstlessnes.s and impatience!
A restless cat can no more remain in one place than I'an a
silken thread wliiih is blown about by every breatli of air.
A cat cm the watch is as still as death at its post of o\y
servation. Neither hunger nor thirst can draw it from its
position.
l>'Arta,t,nian, who was burning with impatience, suddenly
shook oif this feeling as if it were a heavy (doak. Fie said to
himself that the thing they were hiding from him was the very
thing it was important for him to know. Consequently he
reflected that I!ais"meanx would not fail to warn Aranns if
Aramis had given him any suggestion, and this is what had
Iiapjiened.
l^aisemeanx liad scarcely had time to return from the dun-
geon before D'Artagnan placed himself in ambuscade near the
line dn Petit Muse so that he could see every one wlio left
the Bastille. •
After waiting an hour at the (joldm PortnilCs, beneath the
roof whi(di airo.ded a little shade, D'Artagnan saw a soldiei
leave. Now tiiis was the best iiulication lie could desire.
lOvery jailer or warden has certain davs and even hours for
leaving the Bastille, since all are forbidden to have either
wives or lodgings in the castle, and can leave, therefore, without
exciting curiosity.
But a soldier in barracks is kept there for twenty-four hours
when on duty, as every one knows, and D'Artagnan knew this
i::
m.
892
77//; vicoMTF. nr: niiAnrj.oxM:.
i
r
t",rniil towanls
iinl t lie smi uiiil
betffr lliaii anv dih' clso. 'I'liis sol.iier tlifii-luii', i-Muld not
have left PX('P|it by ;ui cxprrss and ui-Lient drdiT.
The soldier, we were sayinLT. Ift't tin' liastdN' sluwlv. like a
haj py mortal who, instead ol' standing,' scniry Ixd'nve a tire-
sonic ^'uarddiMusc or cdiinliin;^' a bastion, no Ics- w carisonic, has
the (,'ood luck to (;et a little liiierty in addition to a walk, ixit'i
pleasures couutin;^' as part of his (liit\-. Ili
the Faubour;^' Saint-. \ntoine. enjoying' the air
lookincj at tiie women.
D'Artat,'iian followed him at a distance. He juul not yet
decided what to do.
" In the first place," lie thoui^dit, " 1 must see the fellow's
face. A man seen is a man jud^'ed."
JVArtairnaii liastened his steps and soon outstrijiped the
soldier, no difficult thiiiL; to d(j. lie not only saw his face,
which was intellii,'ent and resolute, but he saw also his nose,
whiidi was somewhat red.
" The fellow loves br.andy," said he to himself.
At tiie same time th.at he saw the red nose he noticed a
white iiaper in the soldier's belt.
" Good, he has a letter," added D'Artagnan, •• imt a soldier
•would be only too happiv at beiu'; chosen bv "SI. de ]!aise-
meaux as a special messenger, so he would not sfdl his mes-
sage."
Meanwhile the "oldier was still advancin; towards the
Faubourg Saint-Aiitoine.
" He is certainly going to Saint-;^^ande," said D'Artaguan,
"and I shall not be able to find out what is in the letter — "
It was enough to drive him mad.
"If I were in uniform," said D'Artagnan to himself. "I
would have the fellow seized, and his letter with him. The
first soldier would help me ; but the devil take me if I reveal
identity in an aifair of this kind. If 1 were to make him my
drink he would distrust me, and then he might drink until I
was drunk. Mnrdimir .' 1 jiave m; longer any wits, and I am
done for. Sufipose I were to attack the wretch, make him
unsheath — kill him for his letter ! That would be all right if
it were a question (d' a letter from a (jueen to a lord, or from
a cardinal to a (pieen ; but. odds-fish I what wreteiied intrigues
are those of MM. .\ramis and Fomniet with M. (^olbertT A
man's life for that I oh. no, not even ten crowns."
As he philoso]thized in this way. biting his nails and his
iJli i
Till: i.i:iii:ii from m, im: :\mskmi. \i\. :•.!•:
iiiiwtaclH's, lie saw \\ u'lduji
nt arctifrs iind a cln
111 tiiif a|i]icaiaiicf, w
I'l Hi jK.llcp.
Ill uas stiiii'-
tdi'u liis cliitlies ami
'I'licv wcro leailiiiL,' a man
f,'liii,H- with ail liis lui-lit. 'i'hr archcVs hail
were (li-a-i,Mii,i,' him nii. II.' hcu'Lrcd that tlicy tivat him with
iiinri- consiilcratinn. claimiiiL,' tliat lie was a u't'iil It-man ami a
.sdlilicr.
Spein;^' luir sdldicr in the street, he cried dut:
Tl
S(iIdi(M'. help
le siiidier
walk
at tl
Willi iiail ( a
lln; h
Tl
le same [lace Inwards the man
ic 1 1' pv\'l lnllij\M'(
d.
'I'hen ai: idea came to D'Arlai^Mian. It
udl lie seen that ii was imt
was Ills iirst.
d it
While ti
■iitleman was tellinL;- ll
le soldier that he hail lust
leeii arrested in a hmiM' as a thiel'. whereas he wa
lover ; \\ Idle the soldier
solatioa am
d
1 aiiviie with tl
was bit villi; liim. and 'dviii!/ hi
s oiilv a
ill coll-
ie L:!'avit\' winch
a l'"reii(di sol
ilier
alwa\s nsos in matters ol pride and e.-prit de corjis. l)"Ar-
ta-nan slipped liidiind the soldier. jiKtIcd hy the crowd, and
ipdckly ami cleverly drew tiie jiaper from his lielt.
Since ;it tliat moment tho 'gentleman with the torn clothes
was pnllin!,' the soldier alxuit to show how he h
liy tlie police, D'Arta.i^nan accomplished 1
id ll
pen treated
the least mcoi
ivtMiience.
He stationed hiniseH tea feet
anil read tho address :
"To M. (Ill Vallon. at M. F
iw.av li(
lis maiKciu re without
himl a pillar of a house
(iood
Hiipiet's. Saint-^raiidi
said he,
tearini,' it. Then 1
four, and which contained oiilv tl
and lie unsealed the envelope without
le diew out the letter, which was folded in
lese words :
1>F..\R M. nr V.M.Lox: Khnlhili
thiit lie //lis liriii to tin: I)
i>i'j me.
1/ Iiiii-f M. <P Iferhhti/ iiifiiniu'il
'ixfi//t', iUkI tlidt In; liii.s h
H'i'K i/iirstion-
" Your dernfid.
" J)E Baisemeaux."
•' oil, lio : Very good ! " pried D'Aita.i,'uaii. " This much is
perfectly clear : Forthos has a hand in it."
Sure of what he liad heeu trying to find out :
" .\i%,rii;ni,j- ' ■" thought the musketeer. " There is that poor
ii'vil of a soldier whom that furious .sneak, De liaisenieaux, will
pay fur my fraud. If he returns without the letter,
III
ake
I
■I :,
Si
IT
tt
m
894
■////; \iC"Mii: hi: iu:.\(:i:i. owe.
<M t:
w'lnit will tlii'v il<i ti) iiiiii '.' Any \\;i\ , I li:i\i' no further ufod
<it it. Whi-n \(iii iiiivc swiilliiwi'ii till' I",'!,', (if wh.'it usr is tlic
sl..'llV-
1 »'Art(iLrn;tn s;i\\' t!i;it tlir i»iliic iiml the iiichrrs liad sal isticd
the soldier, and wcie t^oin.; on with tlieir ]iris(jnei\ who was
still t'oll(]\s('d hy a ridwd i.[ |ieo|i]e. to \ honi lie Was coniidain-
inj; liittcrly. i>'Arla4nan went intoth.' inid.^t (d' this en wd
and (iro]i]ied the lettci- without, any one's haviir^' noticed him.
Then he wont (piickly awav.
'{"he sohlier resumed his roail towards Saint -Mandi', liis niiinl
on the 1,'eiitlt'nian who had implored his |proteetion. .-suddeidv
ht! reinendiered the letter, ami. ,i,'lanein,L,' at his lielt, saw that
it was ;4oni'. ili,> t'i-iL,'htencd cry didiudited D'.Vrtau'Hiiii. The
]>oor lellow looked all aroinid in a panic, and suddi'nlv, twenty
steps l)(diind him, he siiw the lucky eiiNclope. lie pounced
upon it as a lalcon (ui his jirey. The envelope, it is true, was
a little dusty, and somewhat cruinpled, but nevertheless tlie
lettiu' was sale.
I >",\rta','nan saw that the l)roken seal worried the sohlier a
{^ood deal, 'i'lie woithy i'ellow ended, however, by accepting
the situation and placiii.L,' the paper back in his belt.
"(ioon." Slid !)■ Artatiiian, '• 1 have time enou^di now; pre-
cede me. It scciiis that .\ramis is not in I'aris, since liaise-
nieaux is writini,' to l'ortli<is. Dear INutlios 1 What jnv to
see him aLjain, and to have a (diat with him I " saiil the (iascoii.
And, ret^'ulatiiii,' his jiace by the soldier's, lie decided to
arrive a (quarter of an luiur after him at M. Fou(|nefs.
ClIAI'TKi; XLIX.
IN WHICH Tin: i;i-,.\i)i;i; will hi: (;i;.\riFii:i> to sick that
I'oi;riloS M.\S I.OST NONK OK MIS STKICNoril.
As was his habit. D'.VrtaLjnan had calculated that every
hour is worth sixty minutes, and every minute sixty seconds.
Thanks to this pcutectly accrrate calculation, he reached the
sui)eri!itendent's door ju:it as the soldier was leaving, his belt
eni])ty.
D'Artaguau prcseuled himself at the door, whicli a porter,
roirriiiis ii.\s i.osi xdxi-: of ///>• si ni:\(,rif. :i;t.')
i:i
(•iivfifii uitli pmhriiidt'ry, liclil liulf (ijxmi fur him. I '".\it;i.,'ii;iii
would liavc liked hi ciittT witlimit ,L;iviiij,' Ids n;uni', Imt :is tins
was iiniiDSsililc he j,m\i' it.
Ill .sjiitr of this (■iiiicc-ddii, which, at \va>\ in 1 )'.\i taniiairs
iiliiidi.i). .shiiiild have iciin'xcd every ditlieiilty. the [.inter
liesitate.l. Ilowevei'. al the le|iet it ioli nl'the title, ('aiilalli
(i! tiie KiliL,''s .Mii>keteers, the [Knler, \vilh(jiil leaviii;^' the pas-
sa:,'e ahsoliittdy clear Inr him, did not wholly bar it.
i>"Artau'iiau miderst 1 that orders of a [lositive nature hail
hci'ii ,i,nveii. lie decided, theiid'ore. to tell a talseliood. which,
lor that luatter, did not j^'really altect him, since he saw that
heyoinl the falsehood lay the safely of the stale oi even his
own iiersoiial iutert>st.
lie added to tho deidarations he had already made that the
soldier wiio had just hroiiijht, a letter for M . ilu X'alh.n was
his own messenger, and that the ohjecf of the letter had been
til announce his arri\al.
i'mm that moment there was no furthur oii|iosition. and
I 'A rtaijnaii entered.
A valet wisheil to accom|)aiiy him, hut ho replied that
there was no need to take siudi trouble on his account, as he
knew |ierfectly well where M. dii \'ailon was.
'I'here was nothing to say to a man tnidentlv so much at
home, and D'Artagnan was allowed to enter.
The terraees, the drawing-rooms, the gardens all were re
viewed by the niuskeleer. He walked hu' a (piarter of au
hour in that more than royal residence, which contained an
many wonders as articles of furniture; ;is many servants a.s
there were columns and doors.
•• Decidedly," said hi! to himself, '•this i)Iae(^ is limited only
by the circumference of the earth, ("oiild the idea have come to
I'orthostu return to I'ierrefond.s without leaving .M. Fouquet's ?'"
He finally reached a remote part of the chateau, surrounded
by a stone wall, on which was a i>rofusion <jf thick plants
covered with Mowers as thick and as solid as fruit.
At eipial distances on the wall were .statues in timid or mys-
terious attitudes. There wer(> vestals hidden beneath tlu^ long
folds of tlie pepluin : agile nyniiihs covered with their marl)le
■>ei!s guiirding the palace with furtive glances; a .statue (,f
Hermes, his finger on his lips; one of Iris, with extruded
wings; one of Niglit garlainled with pop])ies — allot which
dominated the gardens and the outbiiihlings seen thron'di the
B;
If
ii.
,Ea
896
77//; VK'oMTi-: hi: hi: \i;i:i.i>\.\i:
»!
trot's. All Uicsf stiituf's wen' niitlincd in wliiic ;i'_Miiist tlit^
tall cyint'ssps wliich raised tlicir lilac k
.■1|■^ t-1 till' - k\ .
Ar.
til
^c ('y]iress('s were ciitwii:! d clin:!!!:!'^' I'n-r-^, whirli
lastPiicil tlicir tliiwcriiif^ cli.iins to i\i'iy tnik I'l tl.i' lininlics
and .scattci-i'd over tiif lnuci- lindis ai.d the ,stat;ii'> >liii\v('i'.s
of jierruiiicd lilussdins.
'^iH'^^t' delights sceliH'd tu tli
suiiriMuc t'tt'orl ot the hmiiaii mind. II
result, nl' a
The idea that I'ortl
^ketl•.■I• tl
e \\.i.> ill a |M'flii- Iran
ins was li\ ihl; la >ueli an
Kden
f I'nrt
rtliii>
tme It is that the
le iiitliiiMice II
-nr-
of mill
ga\ t^ liim a iii^her idea n
greatest minds are .nut exemiit tniiii t
roiindiiiLCs.
I)'Ai't,at,'naii I'niind the dunr, mi wliiidi \\a-> a kind nl' spnii'.
whieh he disenvered and tunehed. 'I'lie diuir opiMitd.
I)"Ai-ta.i;naii eiiteied. i IhmhI the dimi', and str|i[ic(l inin a eir-
ciilar pavilion, lu wliieli no sound was heard sa
tains and siiiL'iii'' hi ids.
\ e that oi' tmin-
At tl
le door I
if t:
le iia\l!ain 111
met a lacdie
It is here." said I)".\itaL;nan, uiihesilal.in:4l\ , '-that M. li
Ikirou du N'allnii lives, is it imt '.' "
" ^'es, monsieur," re[)lieil the laidiey.
••Tell him that M. le Chevalier d'Artairi
^lajesty's musketeers, is waltiie.
fur 1
lan, eaptain of his
urn.
DWrtaLMiai
1 was ai
Imitted into tl
I" (lrawiii;..,f-riiom.
lie di.l
not liave to wait
A widMiuowu >\v\\ ^dlo(»k tlu' tliior of
the next room. 'I'lie dnor o|u ned, or rather was tin ast ■ >\
leu.
aiul I'orthos th
mscdfinlo his fneiiii's arms with a sort
of enibarrassmeiil that did not ill lieeuiae him.
" Vou hiu'c '.' " he cried.
'■ .\nd you I '■ replied I)'Arta,!,'!ian. " .\h, you sly fellow I"
"■ Ves,"' said Porthos, with an um^asy siuiie. •• ^'es, ymi see
tliat I am at M. Fotniuet's ; and \iiu are somewhat suriirised.
are voii not '
Not at all. ^Vhy sliouhl you not be one of M. fniiouet's
friends
III
is many, espeeiaily amoiiLjst elever men.
I'orthos had the modesty not to take the rnmplimeiit to hini-
vmi saw me at I.eili
ire reason for mv tliinki
self.
'• Besides." h
"Alltl
quet's friends.''
" The fact is that 1 know him," s
awkwa'dness.
t V.
-h
\\' \ou on
e of M. I'ou-
lid I'ortl
witl
1 a certain
fn/ni/ns //.IS Ao.sy VOA'/; iif.' ///s siliK\<ni!. .••,',•7
h, ni\ IririKl
:uil I'".\it:i,i,'ii;iii, •• Imw Im(11v \c)ii 1
iiive
tlCillcil Illf
" 1 |i)\V SI
I'urtl
W'liiif, Vdll li;i\i' tiliisli
;iiliiiir:ililc :i wmk ;i-; 1,li;it of
til-' lortilirutKiiis (if r.cll(!-l.sl.', ami ynii ilo not idl iih> uf
I'di'thos colored.
•• Fiirtlifriiiiirc." C'litiiiuod l>"Art:i''
til
nan.
^^Ml k
von saw mv over
I
was 111 tl
Kill
not guess that, the KiiiL,', anxious to k
who hail aceoiuplisheil a work of whirh he had heard most
s ser\ ice, and you did
now the clever man
markalile aci-oiints. had sent me to find out who thi
s mail
was
What: The Ki
-ent \-ou to lind out
I should think he did. J!ut let
tlii<
us speak no more of
Tl
le ileiue
oi' it. So the Kill'' kne
s.tid I'oithos; "on the eontiarv. h't us s[ieak
\'
W we were iort ilvini' Belled-
't the Kin,;,' know evervtl
IlllL
" r.iit he did not
know who was lortitviiiLT it
'■ -No. he only siispeeted from what he had heard of tl
irks that it was some eelelirated soldier. ""
1 f I had oiil",' known that
10
The devil
d I'orthi
Von would not have run awa\- from \'
Kime
No; what
Would vol
you say when vou could not find
me
fleet
df
Tsh
wer
.My dear fellow. I retieetei
.Ml, yes, you retieet, do you'.' .Vnd to what did your re-
ion lead '.' '"
It led mo to j;uess tlio whole truth."
Ah. vou have guessed it '.' "
Yes.-'
Wdiat did you guess '.' Come," said I'orthos, settling hi
in an armehair and assuming the air of a sphinx.
I guessed in the first place that you were fiu'lifvin"- Uellc-
m-
That was not very ditrieult. Vou saw me at work."'
^^■ait a moment, I guessed something further — that y
e fiu-tifying lielie-Isle hy M. T'ouiiuet's orders."
That is true."
But that is ind all. V\'heu I have
oil
ilo not stoii on tl
le way.
once started guessing
'• Vou dear fellow ! '
If
iii
".!>S
Tin: \i((i\f/i: hi: nn.ii.Li.owi:.
•• I ^'IICSSI-.l tlillt M. l''Mlli|l|..t \\i-<l|fll t.l piT-.-lVt' lllC IIKIst
;il)s(pluti' -.iTicry 111 |i':;;uil to Ills I ui I llicil ii .lis,"
•• 'I'lial \v;f> Ins llitcutinn. I lirlicvc," s.ihi I'l'l'tlidS.
•■ \'f-, 1)111 (In ynii kiKivv why lie U-i->lir.i Ii> kci'|( It M'cift '.' "'
" Why. ill (iiilfp ih.ii it iiii'^lit Hot jjc kiinwii." .■..ml roiilids.
•• ill tlic tifst jilacr ; liiit his wish \v;is buijsei\ ii'iil tu an iiii-
[iiilsi' nl' 1,'ullaiitry."
•• It is \\w\" said I'liitlios. ••that. I have Lend it sai.l that
M. I'"oiii|iift is \i'ry ',',illaiit."
" 'I'd all iiii|)iilsi' (if '.^allaiitrv tduanls tlic Kiii".''
"(Hi : (.ji;"
'• I)()t's that siir[iris(' xou '.' "
'• Yos.-
" ViUA (lid iidt kiidw tli;it ? "
" No."
'• Well, I klinw it,"
'• Tlicii yiMi .arc a w i/ard.''
" Net at all."
" IldW (lid Vdll tilid it (lilt, tllfli '.' "
'• In a very siiiiph' way. 1 lirard M. l''(m(|iict iiiiiis(df .say
so to tiif I\iii'_r I "
'• Say wliat to the iviii-- ;' "
••That h'' h.id llclli'-lsic fm-titicd vn tlif Kiii;,''s account, and
that he was ,t;ciii^- to make him ;i prcst'iit of it."
•• Villi heard .M. FdiKpict say that to the Kiiii.,'',""
" In just tiiost" words. He cvt'ii added. • i'.tdl.'-lsic has liccn
fortilii'd liy (iiic ol my Iricnds, an fiiLriiiccr. a cli'vcr man, whom
I sliall, liy I'enuissinii, [invscnt td yoiir Maji-stv.' •His name '.' '
asked the KiiiL,'. -'riie jtaroii dii \'alloii,' lepiied .M, FoiKniet.
' Very t,'oo(l,' replied the Kiw^, -you will iiresent him to me.'"
" The Kim,' said th.it ',' ''
"On the taith of a I )".\ rta,L,nian.""
'•Oh," said Tortlios, ••hut why have I iint lieeii presented,
then '.' ■'
'■ Has no one spoken td yoi. aliout the presentation '.' "'
" Ves, but I 'ill still waitiiiLC f'i>i' it--''
" Doirt worry, it will eome — "
" Hmii I " ;,'idwle(l I'orthds.
l)".\rta,u'ii:ni pretended not to hear, and clianged tlio con-
versation.
" You seem to be living in a very lonely place, luy dear fel-
low,"' said he.
■l!
I'oirif/os i/.\s i.osr .\i)\i: <ir ms s i i;i:.\(, i ii. ;{'.tlt
1[;
f 1!; '
I al
u-;i\ ^ luv
ll'tllCllll'llt. I
^ltl<ln." ic|ilic(l I ..itliM.. uitl] a sij,'li.
am lit a iii<'|,inr|i()|\ ilisin).
1'
III H >tiaiiL;i'," saiil 1» Ail
lyiiaii.
I iicvci imt (cil it.
tiillv.
It IS >iiic.' 1 liavf takfiMiii II ailing'." saul l'.irtli(i>, llnmi'lit-
|{ul
hoj
uu'iital lal)(ir lias imt im|iaiif(l your plivsical liralth, I
)e
Oil. not at all."
Is yniir stit'iii,'tli .still LTi-fat
Ti
^riMl. iii\ lYiciiil, ti
III ^'IIMl.
I under, tiMid iluil diiriiii,' the (list day.s after your
nva
1 -
ar-
" 'I'liat I I'dllld lint liinvt'. I suppnse '.' "
'■ How wa.s it ■.' ■' said I)'ArtaL,'iiaii, with a si
I'uuld \iiu imt niiisf '.' "
iiih'
and win
I'nrtlius realized that he hail made a mistake, ;iiid tried t(
correct It.
" \Vliy, I came here trom IJelle-Isle with jioor horses, and
tluit tatiLTiied me."
■• I am HI) luii^'er sur|irised th .t as I came after yuu 1 found
seven or ei>,dit dead on the road. "
I
Hill heavv, voii see," said I'orllio
" So that vou wore liruised
M
y marrow mcdted, and that made me ill.'
Ah, poor I'oithos I and how did .Aramis act
Ver
y we
He had
iiriii''all this
ired for by .M. Imuki
doctor, lliit just inia,L;ine. at the end of a
breathe any loii;^'er.'"
■• What do you mean '.' "
Me, s own
week I could not
Th
Indeed
room was too small. I had used up all the air.
" At least that was what I was told, and I was taken to
another room."
Where this time yon could breathe'.'"
Yes, more freely ; but no exercise, not hint,' to do. The d
tor said that 1 was nut to stir. I, on the contrary, felt
as the can.se of a serious acciilent.
oe-
thaii ever, w
hicl
1 w
stronger
What accident
^"
on
may imagine, my dear friend, thi.t I revolted
the oriiers of that fool of a doctor and 1 resolved to
whether it suited hi
agaiii.st
go out
valet wiiu was
m or not. Consequently I ordered the
waiting un me tu bring my clothes
1 1 H
i ! ill
If
ti
J
1
H
4U0
THE ViroMTE 1)E lillAHELoyy E.
IP
C
8
ft:
h
«1l
" You were quite niikod, then, my poor I'orMios ? "
" Oh, no, I had ou a Kiaj,'niticciit (iressiui,' i,'o\vii. The lackey
obeyed. 1 dressed iiiyselt in my clotiies, wliieh liad become too
large, but strange thing, my teet had grown.'"
" Yes, I quite understand."
" And my bocjts tocj small."
" Your feet were swollen."
'• That's it. You've guessed it."
" Ah ha I And that 's the accident yiu wanted to tell me
about."'
" Yes, I did not carry on tlic same reflect i' ins that ynu did.
I said to myself, ' Since my feet have entered my hudt-, ten times
there is no reason why they siiould not enterthe tdeventh.'"'
" My dear INjrthos, i)erinit me to tell you that that lime you
were not Ingical.''
" In short, they ]ilaeed me opjiosite a ]iartition. I tried to
pull on m\' right buot ; 1 pulled with my iiands, I jmshed with
all my force, nniking uidieard-of efforts, wlien suddeidy the two
tops of my boot were in my hands and my ft)ot liad struck out
like a catapult."
•' Catapultl How well up you are in terms of fortitications,
dear Porthos ! "
" My foot shot out, then, like acatapidt and struck the par-
tition, which it knocked down. My dear frieiul, I thought that
like Samson I had demolishetl the Temple; and the number of
pictures, the chimi, the vases, the curtains ami window-jjanes
that came crashing to the tio(jr was nuirvellous."
"Indeed!"
" \Vithout counting the fact that on the other side of the
partition stood a table covered with china.'"
" \Vhieh you overthrew ".' "
" Which I hurled to the other end of the room."
Porthos began to laugh.
" As you say, it was certaiidy marvellous."'
And D'Artagnan began to laugh too.
Whereupon I'oithos lauglied all the harder.
" I broke,"' said I'orthos, in a voice indistinct from his in-
creasing hilarity, '• more than three thousand francs" worth of
china. Ha ! ha ! ha ! "
" (Jood I" said I)"Artagnan.
" I smasiied more than four thousand francs" worth of glass.
Ha ! iia ! ha ! "
I'onrnos ins lost noni: of /us srnENarn. 40l
" Sj.leiulid :"
'• Without cDiiiitin',' a chandelier, wliifh fell on :ny head and
linike into a thousand j.ieces. Ha! ha 1 ha I "
••(>n your head '.' '' said D"Artagnaii, who was holding hia
sides.
" On top."
'• And your heail was broken ? "
" No, since 1 tell you, on the contrary, that it was the
chandelier that broke like the <,dass that it was."
'• Oh, was the chandelier of ;,'la3S '.' "
"Of Venetian glass; a cnrinsity, my dear fellow, a rare
thing without etjual, weighing two hundred pounds."'
'• And it fell on your head '.' "
'• rpon my head ' Just imagine a crystal globe gilded, the
liiwer part encrusted, jierfunu's burning at the top, and jets
from which the tlames issu<'d when they were lighted."
" I quite understand. Rut they were not lighted '.' "
" Fortunately not, or I should have been burnt to a cinder."
" And you were only fi .ttened out '.'"
•• Not at all."
" Not at all ? '■
'• No, the chandelier hit my skull. It seems that we have
on tiie top ot our heads an exceedingly thick crust. '
'• V.'ho t,ild you that, I'orthos '' "
" The doctor. A sort of dome, which would suj>port Notre
Dame de Paris."
" Rah ! "
" Yes, it seems that our skulls are made in tliat way."
" Speak for yourself, my dear friend. \o\\v skull may be
made that way, but not other people's."
"That is possible," said I'orthvis, conceitedly; "so much
was this the case with me, however, that the fall of the chan-
delier on the dome which we have on the top of our heads
caused a report like the detonation of a cannon. The crystal
was broken and I fell, completely covered."
" With blood, my jxior I'orthos ? "
" Not at all. With perfume.- which smelled like cream. It
was delicious, but it was too strong; I grew dizzy from the
odor. You have felt like that sonu'times, have you not,
D'Artagnan ? "
" Yes, when smelling the lily-of-the-valley. 80 that, my poor
Vol. II. — 26
a
If
It
til
'»'
P
■im
402
Ti.E vicoMTF /)/; iii!.\(;i:i.n\.\i:.
M^
ill
tix
^m
c
S'
friend, 3011 were knocked dovs.i by tlie shook and overpowered
by the perfume'.' "
'• Yes: but what was especially remarkable, and thepliysician
affirmed on liis honor that be had never seen anvtliin^' like
it—"
'• At least vou had a bunii) .' "' inter'-upted D'Artaguan.
" I had Hve."
"Why five?"'
" At the bottom the chandelier had live excessively sharp
gilt ornaments.''
" Oh : •'
"These live ornaments sank into 7ny liair, wliiidi, a.s you see,
is very thick.''
" Fortunately."'
'• And made marks on my skin. l'>ut notice tlie strangeness of
it, — these things happen only to me, — instead of nuiking
holes they made bumjis. The doctor was never able to explain
this to me satisfactorily."
•• Well, I can."
"That would l)e doing me a great favor." said I'orthos, wink-
ing his eyes, which with him was a sign of the greatest atten-
tion.
" Since you have been working your brain in studies of a
lofty nature, and in important calculations, y(iur head lias
profited so that now it is too full of s'jieuce."
" Vou think so ";'"■
" I am sure of it. The result is that instead of letting any
foreign matter penetrate to the interior of ynur head, ycuir bony
box, which is already too full, availed itself of the openings in
it to allow some of this excess t-) escape.''
" Ah I "' said I'orthos, U> whom this explanation seemed
clearer than, that of the doctor.
"The live protuberances caused by the tiv(> ornaments of the
chandelier were certainly scientific globules Inought to the
surface by the iorce of circumstances."
"The fact is," said I'orthos. " it made me feel worse outside
than inside. I will even confess that when I put my hat on
my head and clapped it down with my list witli that graceful
energy which we gentlemen of the sword jiossi^ss, — well, it
my fist were not well regulated I felt great pain."
•• I'orthos, 1 can i)eiieve you."
" Then, my good friend,"' said the giant. '• M. Fouipict decided,
rnRTHns HAS LOST No.x/-: or h/s sTRRycrH. 403
1110 another loilgiiig.
The one wliich is so
sceini,' tlie frailty of tlio house, to give
They brought nie here in consequence."
" It is the private jiark, is it not ? '"
" Ves.'-
" Where tiie ren(kv.vous are Iield ?
celebrated in the mysterious stories about tiie superintendent ?"
" I do not know. I have had neitlier rendezvous nor mys-
terious stories, but I have been autliorized to exert my musc'les
iu it and 1 take advantage of the iierinission by uurootin" trees "
•• What for ? " .10
'■ To keep my liand in and also to get at some birds" nests.
I iind that more convenient tlian climbing."
" You are as j)astoral as Tyrcis, my dear Porthos."
" Ves, 1 like tlie little eggs. I like t]iem much better than
the larger ones. Vou havt no idea how delicate an omelet is
made of four or five hundred eggs of linnets, chaffinches,
starlings, blackbirds, and thrushes.'"
'• I'.ut five hundred eggs is monstrous ! "
" A salad bowl will hold them," said Torthos.
For five minutes D'Artagnan looked admiringly at Porthos
as if seeing him for tlie tirst time, while Porthos expanded joy-
fully beneath his friend's look. They remained thus for several
minutes, IXArtagnaii gazing, Portluls swelling with pride.
D'Artagnan was evidently thinking up some new topic of
conversation.
"Are you much amused here, Porthos '.' '" he asked at length,
having found no doubt what he liad been seeking.
•' Not always."
"I can imagine that; but when you are too much bored
what will you do? "
'■ (»h, I shall not be here for long. Aramis is waiting until
the last bump has disap])eared to present me to the King, who,
they tell me, cinnot bear bumps."
" Aramis is Ltill in Paris, then ? "
'• \o."
'■ Where is he,?"
" At Fontainebleau."
" Alone?"
" With M. Fouqnet."
<• Very good, V)nt do you know one thing? "
" \o. Tell me and I shall know."
" I think that Aramis is forgetting you "
* 1
404
THE Vrro}rTK DE RIl.XriELOXXE.
I ...
Mm
" Vou think so '.' '"
" V()iui»'r. you spp, thoy are l.iushiuf;. dancinji, banqueting,
and (Irinkinij M. de Mazarin's wines. Do you know tlial there
is a ballet there every evening?"
" The devil ! "
" I assure you that yoiir dear Aramis is forgetting you."
"That may be ; I myself have thought so sometimes."
" Unless he is betraving you, the slv fellow I "
" Oh ! "
" You know that Aramis is a sly fox."
" Yes ; but to betray me — '"
" Listen ; in the first place, he hides you."
" He hides nie '.' I — hidden '.' "
" Unthmbtedly."
" I wish you would prove that to me."
" Nothing easier. Do you ever go out ? "
" Never."
" Do you ride horseba<'k '.' "
"Never."
" Are votir friends allowed to oome to you ? "'
" Never."
" Well, my friend, never to go out, never to ride horsebaok,
never to see your friends, is called being hidden."
'' \Vhy should Aramis bide me '.' " asked Portluts.
" ("ome," .said D'Artagnan, "be frank, I'orthos. "
" As gold."
" It was Aramis who drew the plan of the fortifications at
Belle-Isle, was it not ? "
Porthos colored.
" Yes," said he, " but that is all he did."
" F^xactly ; and juy opinion is that it is not a very great
affair."
" That is mine, also."
" Good ! I am delighted that we are of the same opinion."
" He never even came to Belle-Isle," said I'orthos.
"There, now."
" It was I who went to Yaniies. as you may have seen."
" 8ay as I ilid see. Well, that is the case, my dear I'orthos.
Aramis, who drew only the jilans, would like to ])ass himself
off as the engineer, while you, who built stone by stone the
wall, the citadel, and the bastions, he would like to I'elegate to
the rank of constructor."
PORTIIOS HAS LOST XOXK OF HIS STHEXGTH. 405
M
F-'ll
'•Of ooustructur — that is, mason?"
" Mason, that 's it."'
" I'lasteier ? "
" Exactly."
" Hod-carrier?"
'■ That 's it."
'■Oh : oh! My dear Aramis, apparently vou think you are
still twenty-fivp years old.''
'• That is not all ; he tiiinks you are fifty."'
"I should greatly have liked' to see hini'at work."
" Yes."
" A fellow who has the gout ! "
" Yes."'
"Who has the gravel I "
" Yes."
" Who has lost thice tteth ! "
'• Four."
'• While I — look : "
And Porthos, opening his thick lips, showed two rows of
teeth only less white tlum the snow and as even, as hard, and
as strong as ivory.
" You cannot imagine, Porthos," said D'Artagnan, " how
much the King likes good teeth. Yours decide me. I shall
present you to the King myself."
" You ? "
«^yhy not ? Do you think I am less in favor at court than
Aramis '.' "
"Oh, no."
" Do you think T have the slightest pretensions in regard to
the forlitications at Belle-Isle ? "
" Oh, certainly not."
" It is your interest alone which would make me act."
'■ I do not doubt it."
" AVell, I am an intimate friend of the King, and the proof
"t this IS that when there is anything disagreeable to tell him
i am the one to do it."
•• P)Ut, my dear friend, if you present me — "
" Well ? •'
" Aramis will be angry."
" With mo ? "
" No, with me."
^
£
m
;
3^':..-
;
^ 1
^ ■
(
i
,
*^
- .1 :
"-1
r.;'- '
1
3
IMC r
40t]
Tiu: viroMTi: in: nnAai.LoxxK.
" Hah I It iiiiikos no dift'erpiico whether lie oi- I present
you, sinee yon arc to be [jresented."
"They're goinj; to have some chitlies made for me.'"
" Yours are splendid."
"Oh, those I had ordered were made more beautiful."
" Take care. The Kin;.,' likes simplicity."
" In that case I shall be simjile, but what will M. Foucpiet say
when he knows I have gone?''
" Are you a prisoner, then, on parole '.' "
" Xo, not exactly, but I promised him not to leave without
letting; him know."'
'' Wait a minute. We will come back to that. Have you
anything to do liere ? "
" Nothing of any importance.''
" Unless you are Aramis' representative for soiuething im-
portant."
"Faith, no."
" What 1 tell you, you understand, is in your interests. I
suppose, for instance, that yon are cummissiuned to send
letters or messages to Aramis ? ''
" Letters, yes. I do send him certain letters."'
" To what address ? ""
" To Fontaineblean."'
" Have you any of these letters ? "
u Why—"
" Let me speak. Have yon any of these letters ? "
" I have just received one."
" Interesting ? "'
" I suppose so."
" Don't you read them ? '"
" I 'm not inquisitive.'" And Porthos drew from his pocket
the soldier"s letter which he had not read, but which D'Artagnan
had peru.sed.
" You know what must be done '.' " said I)"Artagnan.
" What I always do, of course I Send it on."
" Not at all."'
" What, then ? Keep it ? '"
" No. Were you not told that this letter is important ? "
" Very important."
" Well, you nmst take it yourself to P"ontainebleau."
" To Aramis ? "
« Yes."
POUT II OS HAS LOST xoxi: OF HIS strength. 407
" Th;it is i)lansiblo.''
'• And since the King is there — "
" Vou will take advantage of tlie faet ? "
" To present you to tlie King.''
'• Zounds, D'Artagnan ! There is no one like you for finding
expedients.''
" So, instead of sending to our friend messages wliioh
may or may not be delivered, we ourselves will" take tlie
letter."'
'• 1 did not even Ihiiik of tiiat, yet it is very simple."
'• And because it is urgent, my dear I'orthos, we should set
out at once."
" In fact," said I'orthos, "the sooner we start tlie less Araniis'
letter will be delayed."
'• I'orthos, you always reason well, and logic with you is a
help to your imagination."
" Vou think so •/ '" said I'orthos.
'• It is the result of deep reading," replied D'Artacnan.
" Come, let us be off." ^
'• i'>ut,"' said I'orthos, " my promise to M. Fompiet ? "
'• What promise '.' "
'• Xot to leave Saint-Maude without letting him know."
'•Ah, my dear Porthos," said D'Artagnan"" how young you
" How so ? "
" You will reach Fontainebleau, will you not '■* "
" Yes."
" You will find ^r. Fouquet there ? "
" Yes."
" With the King, probably ? "
" \yith the King," rei)eated I'orthos, majestically.
" You will api.roach him and say, ' M. FoiKiuet, I have the
honor to tell you that I have just left Saint-Maude." "
" And," said Porthos, with the same majestic manner, " see-
ing me at Fontainebleau with the King, M. Fouquet will not
lie able to tell me that I am lying."
" My dear Porthos, I was opening mv lips to tell you
that, but you anticipate me in everything, t^ii, Porthos
what a fortunate nature you have ! Age has not afifected
you."
" Not much."
" Then everything is said ? "
'!
' :i|
Cill
8
S"
h
M 1 ..
408
rnr-: vk-omie m: iiHAai-.LosyK.
" 1 think so."
«' You have no furtlicr scnii>lps ? "
"No."
'• In that case I will take y(ju away."
" Exactly. I will i,'o and have my horses saddled."
" You have horses here '.' "
" 1 have tive."
" You liad them sent from I'ierrefoiids '.' "
" M. FotKjuet gave them to me.'"
" My dear I'orthos, we .^hall not need tive horses for two
people, r.esides, 1 have already three in I'ari^, which uuikes
eight, and that would he too manv.''
" It would not he too many if I had my servants here, but.
alas, I have not."
'' Do you miss tiiem '.' "
" 1 miss Mous(]ueton. Mousqueton is necessary to me."
"Kind heart!" said D'Artagnan. '■ I!ul believe lue, leave
your horses here as you left Mousqueton there."
" Why •.' "
" Because later — "
" Well ? "
" Well, later, it might be well if you had taken nothing from
M. Fonquet."
" I do not understand," said Torthos.
" It is not necessary that vou shouhi."
" And yet — ''
" I will explain all that later, Torthos."
" It is politics, I "11 wager."
" And the mo.st subtle."
Porthos bent his head at the word " politics," but after a
moment's refleetion he said :
" I will confess to you, D'Artagnan, that I am no politician."
" I know that well enough I "
" Oh, everybody knows it. You told it to me youi'self, yo\i,
the bravest of the brave."
" What did I tell you, Porthos ? "
" That every one has his day. Y'ou told me so, and I have
proved it. There are days wl.eu one feels less pleasure than
on others in receiving sword-thrusts."
" That 's my idea.''
" It is mine also, although I do not believe in blows which
kill."
<3 J.
I'onriios HAS LOST .vn.v/.; or his STRENGTII. 40!)
f'nim a sword-thnist or
I ever shall. Hut
•• riic devil : Vet you have killed.'"
■• Ve.s, but I have never been killed."
" The reason is a ^ood oii<>."
'• So r do not believe I shall ever di(>
a u'unshot."
•• Von are afraid of nothing', then. Of v.ater, j.erhaps ? "
'• No, I swim like an otter."
'• Of a (juartan fever."'
" I have never had it. and 1 don"t think
I will admit one tliint,'."'
I'ortho.s lowered his voire.
" What is that," asked J)".\rta,!?nan, doinj,' likewise.
'• I will eonfess to yon," said I'orthos, " that I have a frightful
dread of polities."'
•• .\h, pshaw : " ex(daimed l)"Arta<,'nan.
•' Softly," said I'orthos, in a stentorian voice, " I have seen
his Kniinenee M. le (';irdinal de Richelieu and his Eminence
M. le Cardinal (le Mazarin, the (me with his red, the other with
ins black politics. 1 was no more pleased with the one than
with the other. The fir.st cut off the heads of M. de Marillac,
M. de Tlior,, M. de Cinq-Mars, M. de Chalais, :\I. de Boutteville^
.M. (le .Montmorency. The sec(md had a crowd of Frondeurs
to which we belonged, cut to i>ieces."
••To which, on the contrary, we did not belong," said D'Ar-
tagnan.
"Oh, yes, for I drew my sword for the cardiual ; I struck
lor the King.'"
" My dear Porthos I "
" I have finished. My fear of politics is such that if there
IS any politics in the matter I should prefer to return to
I'icrrefonds."'
" Vou would be right if that were the case, but with nie, my
dear Porthos, there is no more polities, that is certain. You
have labored to fortify Belle-Isle. The King wanted to know
the name of the engineer who carried on the work; you are
K'luing, like all men of real worth. Perhaps Araniis wishes to
put you under a bushel, but I will take you, I will announce
.V(Ki, I will produce you. The King will reward you and my
I'olitics are at an end."
•• And mine too, you can wager,'" said Porthos, extending his
hand to D'Artagnan.
But D"Artaguau was acquainted with the hand of Porthos.
m
.'■ 3
410
1 r ^
Tin: VK^oMTi: />/: i-.i; \i;i:i.n\\i:.
Ill' kiii'w tli.'it (iiKT iiiiiirisoiH'il licltiiid the l);ir(.n's tivc tiiit,'('ra
an Didiiiary liiiiid did not csciiiM' witlioiit licini,' cnislicd." So
he li.'ld (Hit to liis ti-it'iid, nut his li.ind, hiit Ins list.
I'ortlios (lid not even iiotico it. TImmi tlu'v Ijutli set out for
S,iiiit-M;iiidt'.
The servants tiiikfd a little, and \vliis|MMvd a IVw words
wliich DWrta-nan nnd.'rstood, ijut ulndi h.- t.-.ok can' not to
let I'ortlios understand.
"Our friend," said lie to himself, -was reallv imd truly
Aranii.s' prisoner. Let tis see wliat will be the result of the
liberation of this consiiiralor."
<-'H.\lTi:U L.
OU 1. »e:
8
h •'% \:
M I. ail
sW*!
TMK I! AT AM) rilK ( MEESK.
D'Artagvan- and I'ortho.s returned on foot as D'Arta^nan
had eonie. "
When IVArtaL^qiaii, on enterint,' the shoj) of the I'ilon d'Or
annonneod to I'laneiiet that .M. ,ln Valloi, would be one of the
l.rivilej^ed travellers : when Porthos entered the shop, and his
I)luine strnok the wo')den candles suspended over the' front a
n^ielaneholy presentiment took the place of the pleasnre
rianchet had promised himself for the next dav.
But our .-roeei had a heart of -old, a precious relic of that
good time which, for those who are growing old, is and has
always been the time of their voiitli ; and for those who are
young the old age of their forefathe-- ,. Planchet, in spite of
an internal shiver repressed as soon as felt, received I'orthos
witli respect, nuiigled with tender cordiality.
I'orthos, somewhat stiff at first because of the social differ-
enee which existed at that time between a baron and a -^ocer
finally became more gentle as he saw in I'lanehet such.r,,„d'
will and kindly feeling. "
He was particularly pleased hv the liberty which was given
or rather offered to iiim to plunge his great hands into the
boxes ot dried fruits and preserves, into the sacks of almonds
and nuts, and into the drawers full of sweetmeats. So not-
withstanding the invitations Plauchet gc.ve him to go up to
Tin: i;.\r .\m> iiii: iiuesi:.
\\\
1 \\r (Mil It'^di
l:r li;ul t(
lit' cliiiM- Idi- Ills I'av'nrito spot, iluiiii,,' tin' i'Vt'iiiiii»
cinl at I'lamlict's. tli('sli(i|) in wliirli lii> tiir-r<'i's
^iK'll
i\s tiiiiiiil what lie had Miiclli'd and s<
'('II.
r.cautitul ll;:s t'l
'1
loni liiivciKc
tilbt'ils t'ldHi till' tiiicst, idimirt
roiii 'rdiiraiiii', liccainc for i'cMihns the nh jcits ot his devoted
attcnl K'li tiirliNc uiiinl('ri-u|it('d In
III 1 WI'CIl
his tci'th as iictwccn inillstmi
'I'hc nuts were ciackod
iiid the shells were
blattered n\ei- t he tlniir, where t hey w ere t ramiiled on liy all
wild entered. roi'tlins imllrd Irmii the stalk at one iiioiitht'nl
liiinrhi'
halt' a iiound (d' whi'Ii iiasscil at one t:iil|> from Ids mouth to
; ot till' rich Miisr: id raisins with their heautii'ul eolor.s.
It' a iiound (d' whi'Ii jiasscil at one ^'"'1' f''"'ii 'li^ '""J"
h.
hi> stomaeli
in a corner of tli(> sho[i the clerks, huddled together in
iii;ht. looked at onii another without daring to speak. They
did
race o
it know I'ortlios, for tliev had
never seen lum
Tin;
t those Titans who had worn the last cuirasses of
Hugh <'a|iet. Philip Augi'.stus, and Francis I. liad begun to
disaiipear. They wondered if lie were not the ogre of the fairy
tales >vho was going to jmt into his insatiable stomach I'lan-
cliet's whole establishment, without in the least displacing the
barrels and boxe.s.
("racking, munching, I'hewing, nibbling, sucking, and swal-
ling, I'orthos said oceasion'.illy to the grocer:
• \'ou liave a tine stock of goods, friend I'lanchet."
• lit! will soon linve none at all if this continues," <'row
led
the head clerk, wlio had I'lanehefs word that lie would succeed
liiiii.
And in liis despair he api^roached I'orthos, who blocked the
"Utire passage from .he rear to the shop. He hoped that
I'orthos would rise, and that this movement would divert hini
irom
his devouriu'r ideas
What do you want, my frie'id '.' " asked I'orthos, affably.
I should like to pass, monsieur, if it will not trouble you
too much.
ill.
Very well,"" .said I'orthos, " that will not trouble me at
.Vnd lie took the man by the waist, lifted him from the Hoor,
and placed him gently on the other side, smiling all the time
with the same alfable expression.
As I'orthos put him ilowii, the legs of the terrified man
fail
d h
nil. so
that lie fell back on the eon
i-sac
But seeing the gentleness jf the giant, he ventured again ;
: ^ I
M
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41;
/•///; vicnMTi: Di: iii:.\<;i:i.(>.\\i:.
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T
hi "
ill
" All, iiioiisieiii'. 1m' (MfctuI I ■'
'• AliDiit \vli;it. my trifiiii ■.'" ufskt'd I'ortlios.
" ^■|)ll ;in' iMittiiiLr till! into yiiiir ImmIv."
" Whit il(. ymi 111. -ail. my i,m(m1 tt'llow .' " .s:uil INntlidS.
" All tlKi^t! thiii-s ail' vri\ licatiip,', mdiisiciir "
" What thiiP^'s? ■■
" The raisin-^, thr iiiit>. th.> alim.mls."
"\<'s; hut il' the aliiKimls, imis, and raisins aii' heat
'"« — "
" 'riicit' is IK) lioiiht ol that, miii^nMir.'
'■ Honey is cciolint,'."
Ami, stirtchin- his hnid tnvvapls a small ,.i...ii ^a^l. .,f
honey, I'oithos [.Inn-,.,] into it th.- s.^oo]. with wlm^l, riistMm..i-.s
were served, and swallowed a ^'(i(„l hall-pound.
"My Iriend," sanl I'orlhos, ■■ ] wiH ad< vmi tor some water
now, ■
'■ In a imil. monsieur?" askeil the man. inmcentlv.
"No, in a ea.ale. That will be enomjh,'' rej.lied i'orihos
good-uattuedly. And raisin:,' the earaie to his Hps. as a
trumiH'ter dues his trumpet, he emptie.l it at a sinde
swallow.
I'huKdiet was shaken to the depths ot his sense ot owneishiu
and sell'-iespeet.
However, _ a host worthy of the aneient ideas ot Imspi-
tahty, — he pretended to be t.ilkiii',' eurnestlv to D'Arta^iian
and constantly repented : ' °
" What joy : What happiness : "
"At what hour shall we have supper. I'lanchet '.' " asked
iV.rthos. " I am huiiLrry."'
Tlie head elerk (dasped his hands. The other two rolled
under the counter, tcarinj,' h'st I'ortlios mi-ht have a taste tor
luimaii tlesh.
" We shall t;i,..' .,nly a li;,dit hiiu :, here," sai.l I )'ArtaL,'nan,
'•and have supper at I'lanchet's countrv seat."
" Ah : So it is to your country house that we are icointr
riaiichet! So much the better."
" Vou overwhelm me, .^[. le Karon."
Tlie M. Ir Jiann, had a ^veixt effect on the (Icrks. who
detected a man of the liiLThest positiim in an ai)petitt of that
kind. Tlie title reassured them. Thev had never lieard <.f an
ogre by the name of M. I,- Jl,/,-,,'.
" I will take a few biscuits to eat on the road," said I'ortho.s,
Tin: HAT \\h Tin: (111:1: si-:
\n
irclc^slv. Ami w it li t
It'sC WdlUS
111" t'liiiiticil :i wli
ir (if
•f(l hisciiils iiiln till' i|i'i'|p |Hiil<t't (it Ids dniilili't.
Mv
liiiii IS >;ivci|, ( rii'i
1'
;ill('lirt.
\'fS. llki- tin- cliCfM'." s'liil till' liiMil clerk.
"Til.' H(
ic ll(i|l;ui(l clu 'sc 111 wtucli :i rat ciitcrt'il, and (nilv tlio
iiihI ill wliii'li nas Ictl."
I'laiiclnt liM.ki'il arniiiiil liis slinp, ami at si'^lit nt' all that
had OScaiicii I'.iltlids" teeth lie thnllLjIlt the CiMllliarisoIl ex-
a.i,'!,''^i'it''il-
Tht! hoad clerk divined \vliat was jiassiii;^' in his master's
mind.
" I/i"ik nut lie ddcs mi^ I'etiirn," said he.
" Have you any triiit here/'' said i'drthns, as he went up
to the eiitresdl where they had anmmiiced that the lunch
Wdilld he served.
•• .Mas!" tli(iiiL,'ht the '^'rocer, addrosiiiL,' a hx- df entroaty to
! ''Artai^nan which the latter iialf uiiderstodd.
\tter eatiie^ they started dtf.
It was late when the three travellers, wlm liad left I'aris
ahoiit six d'cldck, reached Fdiitainehleaii. The iourncv had
heeii lively. j'orthdS took a fanc\ to I'laiichet's s(>cietv,
li(-caiise the latter wa.-i very respectful and talkeil Ni hiiu
pleasantly almut his meadows, his wood-, and his rabbit-
warrens. I'drtlids had the taste and the pride of a pro-
prietor.
When I)'Arta;^Mian saw his two compaiiidiis in earnest
cdiiver>atioii, he tdok the lower side of the road, and let-
liii'.; the bridle (Irnp upon his horse's neck, sejiarated hiin-
seit from the whole world, as he liad done from I'orthos and
I'lancli.'t.
The niddii shdii(> sdftly thr(.u<,'h the <i,irk foliage of the
liirest. The balmy odors of the open eoiintry greeted the
nostrils (d' the iiorses, which siidited and juanced with
j".v'-
I'orthos and I'laneliet began to talk about liarvestK.
I'l.-uiehet admitted to I'orthos that in the advanced years of
hi; lile he had neglected agriddture for commerce, but that his
childhood had been spent in I'icardy, in the beautiful meadows
where the grass grew as high as his knees, under the green
a[iple-trees laden with their red apples; he had sworn that bis
birtiiiie once made he would return to Nature and end his days
I
': *
.1-1
414
77//; vfcoMTi-: Di: i:nM;i:ij>\xi-:.
Mi
%■
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..
as he had begun them, as near as possible to tlie earth to wliioli
all men must return at last.
" Well, well," said Torthos, " in that case, my dear I'lan-
chet, your retirement is \u ar at liand."
" '-low so ? "'
" Vou seem to be in tjio way of makiu- a small for-
tune."
" ^^'l>y, yes," replied Planchet, ■' we are {,'etting on."
"Come, what is the extent of your ambition, and at what
figu;e do you intend to retire '.' "
" Monsieur," said I'lanchet. witliout replying to the ques-
ticii, engrossing as it was, " one thing gives ine a good deal of
trouble."
'• What is that "" asked I'orthos, looking behind him. as if
seeking the thing that troubled i'lanrhet in order to rid him
of it.
'• P'ormerly," said the grocer, "yon called me plain IManeliet,
and addressed me in much more familiar terms."
" (,'ertainly I did formerly," said honest Porthos, with an
embarrassment full of delicacy, " l)nc formerly — "
'• Formerly I was M. d'Artagnan's lackev. " Is not that what
you mean ? Well, if I am no longer his lackey, 1 aie still his
servant, and furthermore since then — "
" Well, I'lanchet ? "
" Since then I have had the honor of being his partner."
" What ! " said Torthoa, " has D'Artagnan gone into the
grocery busnic.ss '.' "
"No, no," said D'Artagnan, whom these words rou.sed from
his reverie and who tinned his tiioughts to the conversation
with that readi:iess and rapidity winch distinguished every
effort of his mind and lM>dy, "it was not D'.Vrtagnan who
went into the grocery busines . but i'lanchet who entered
politics."
" Yes," said I'lanchet, with min-led ]pri<le and satisfaction,
"we carried on a little transaction wiiich brought >ne in a
hundred thousand livres and M. d'Artagnan two hundred
thousand."
" Oh ! " said I'orthos adnnringly.
•• So that, M. le I'.aron." continued the grocer, " I atrain beg
you to call me I'lanchet as you used to do, and to address me
You have no idea wliat plea.'uire it would give
familiarlv.
me.
THE RAT AM) THE CHEESE.
41o
•• If that is the case I will do so. my <U'ar IManchet," replied
roi-thos. ' ^
And as lie was near I'lanchet lie raised his hand to cla])
him (III the shoulder in token of friendly eordialitv. I?ut a
providential iiioveiiieiit of his horse made hiin miss his aim,
M) that his hand fell upon the erupjier of Planehefs horse!
''"he animal bent its withers under the stroke.
l)'Artai,'naii bewail to laugh and to think alond.
•• Take eare, I'lanehet, lor it' I'orthos loves you too much he
will earess yon, and if he caresses you he will Hatten you out.
i'orthos is still very strong, you see'."
" Oh," said lManch('% " .Mous(pietoii is not dead yet. M. le
Iiaroii is very fond of him."'
"Certainly," said I'orthos, with a sigh whieh caused the
tluee horses to rear simultaneously, "and I was saying to
n'Artagnaii only this morning how "much I misseil him". But
tell me, I'lanchet — "
" Thank yon, M. le Haron, tliank you ! "
'• (oHxl Iwy ! How manv acres of park have von ""
'• Of park ■.'"
" Ves. We will count the meadows ne.\t, and then the
woods."
" Where, monsi.nir '.' "'
'■ \t your chatea.i."
•• lint. -M. le IJaron, T ha^ e no chateau, no park, no meadows,
no woods."
*• What have you, then '.' " asked I'orthos. •• And why call
it a country seat '.' "
•• I did not call it a country seat, M. le Haron," replied Plan-
chet, somewhat humiliated: "but simply a temporary lodtr-
iiig!" ■ I J h
" All," said Porthos, " I understand. Vou are modest."
" No, M. le JJaron, I am telling the truth. 1 have two rooms
1 ir friends, that is all."
'• Hut in that case, where do your friends walk ? "
'• In the first place, in the King's forest, which is very
beautiful."
'■ Ves, there is no doubt th ctie forest is beautiful," said
Porthos; "almost as beautif as my forest at Herri."
I'lanchet opened his eyes wide.
" Have you a forest like that of Fontainebleau. M. le
Baron '.' " he staiuniered.
■J'
1.
,1
^^SE'^^^^^H
({^^■^B
\i jIHn^^l
.% i
I^Iki^^^^H
1
4i(;
Till:: vico.uTi-j ni: I'.n.idELoysE.
" oil, I liavf two ; hut Miat of HiM-ri is mv favorite."
•• Why '.' ■■ askoil Planciict, attahiy.
" r.cc.iuso in the first phice 1 (h) not know where i!
ends; and in the second phiec ln'cause it is tilled with
])oa(diers."
" How can poadiers make tins forest so pleasant?'"
" r.ec;uise they hunt uiy game and 1 hunt them, which in
times of peace is for me a reproduction of war on a small
scale."'
They had reatdied tiiis point in the conversation when I'lan-
chet, lookiiic; up. saw the fir.^t houses of Fontainebleau out-
lined clearly against the sky. while above the compact and
iricgiilar ma.;s rose the pointed r^)ofs of the cliateau, the slates
of whi(di glistened in the lUiKnilight like the scales of a trreat
fish.
"(lentlem-n," said I'lamdiet, "J have the lionor to announce
that we have arrived at Fontainebleau."'
M
CHAPTER LI.
plancukt's coumkv se.\t.
The cavaliers raised their heads and saw that what honest
Plaiudiet had .said was the truth.
Ten minutes later they were in the Ihie dii Lyou on the side
opposite the inn of the liean I'aon. .V higli hedg-i of bushy
elders, hawthorn, and wild hops formed a dark, impenetrabre
fence, behind which rose a white hous»> with a l)road, tiled
roof. Two wimhjv.s of the house looked upon the street.
l?ofh were dark. Between them a suiali door, with a porch
supjioited by pillars, formed the entrance. The door was
reached by an elevated step.
Plaiudiet dismounted as if he were about to knocdc at the
door; baton second thoughts lie took iiis liorse by the bridle
and went about thirty jiaces fartlier. his two c(mi'paiiioiH fol-
lowing. The.i he went to the door of a cartdiouse, another
thirty jiaces away, whii h was liglited by aa iron grating, and
raising a wooden latch, the only lock oii the (hxu', lie "-nteied,
le;iding liis hoi;,e by the bridle. iiit<» a small court-vard tilled
■t«
•^mmm'-^:mm
PLA NCIIET • ,S cor NTH Y SEA T.
41'
v.-itli sniok.Ml.P pleasin- odcr of which revealed the i)roxiinitv
or a stable.
•'It suieils good," said Porthos loudlv, disMiountin- "I
nuirlit tiiiiik iiiys(df among my own cows at I'ierreluiKfs ''
•• 1 have only one cow," I'ian.diot hastened to sav mod-
estly.
•• -Vnd I have tliirty,"' said Portho.s, " or ratlier I do not know
how many I li;ive.
The tu-o cavaliers entered and I'lanchet fastened the door
belund them.
Meanwhile DWrtagnan, who l,ad dismounted with his usual
agiaty, mha ed the g..od a.r, and. happy as a Parisian who sees
the green tic us, he plucked a bit of honev.suckle with one hand
and some eglantine with the other.
Porthos laid his hand on some pea.s wlii.di were climbin-
ai-und poles, and ate or rather browsed npon them, shells and
IManchet at once set to work to awaken in his she.l an old
decrepit peasant, who was lying on some moss, covered with
an ol,l eoat. Ihis peasant recognized Planchet and called him
master, to the great delight of the grocer.
'•Stable the horses, my good fellow, and feed them liber-
ally, said Plaiudiet.
••Ves. tine beasts they are!" said the peasant. "Oh, they
shall be hi led to bursting ! " 'J
'• (iently, gently, my man,- said D'.Artagnan, " do not go so
last ; some oats and a bed of straw, nothing more "
" .\nd seme bran and water for my IwM'se," sai<l Porthos,
" for It IS very warm. I think."
" Oh, don't be afraid, gentlemen," replied Planchet, " Father
"lestiii IS an old gendarme of Ivry ; lie knows all about
iinises. .So come into the house."
He led his friemls along a overed walk, through a kitchen
garden and a small pa.hhxk, and came out into a little
■ lower garden, beyond which ro.se the h.mse, the princiual wall
"I winch was, as we have seen, on the street.
.Vs they appr..ache.l they could see. through two open win.
;iows on the ground floor, wliicli opened from a room the
interior .d'Planchet's home. This room, softly lighted by a
laiiu. whi.di had been placed on a table, seemed, from the
"iul of the garden, a smiling image of repose, comfort, aud
iiajipiness. '
Vol. II. — 27
.,,,,. J
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L.
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6Er^
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8
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til
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i
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41«
77/ /i IKtiMTH l)E I'.RAiiKl.oS \ E.
Whether the rays from tliis himinous coiitrc fell upon a
piece of old china, an article of fiirnituic [Hili^licil until it
shone, or a weapon lian^'in;,' on the w ill, the soft lii^ht was
clearly reflected and linL,'ereii everywiiere upon something
agreeable to tiie eye
The hunp which lighted the room, while the folia-e of jas-
mine and climbing roses hung from the window casements,
brightly ilhiminated a damask tablecloth as white as snow.
The table was laid for two. Amber-colorefi wine si.arkled
in a tall cut-glass decanter, and a large blue chiiia jug with a
silver cover was hlled with foaming cider. Near the table in
a high-backed armchair slept a woman of thirty, her face
fresh and healthy. Upon lier knees a great cat, its jiaws
folded beneath it, with eyes half closed, was purring in that
characteristic way which signifies in felines. •• I am perfectly
hapi)y."
The two friends [laused bcfon' this window in great surprise.
Seeing their ast(mishment, Planchet was nlled with a gentle
delight.
"Ah. Planchet, you rascal," saiil I)"Arlaguan, '• I u'deistand
your absences."
"Oh, there is some white linen," said Porthos, in a voice of
thunder.
At the .sound the cat took fright, the housekeeper awoke
with ii start, and rianchet assi iiiing a gracious air ushered
his two comjianious ini.; the room in which the table was
laid.
"Permit me, my dear,'" said he, •' to present to you M. le
Chevalier d"Artagnan, my patron.'"
D"Artagnan took tiie lady's hand like a courtier, with the
same chivalrous manner with which he would have taken
Madame's.
"M. le IJarou du Vallon de Bracieux de Pierrefonds,'' added
Planchet.
Porthos made a bow with which Anne of Austria would
have (h iared herself satisfied unless she were 'nore than
exacting.
Then it was Plaiuhet's turn.
He embraced the lady frankly, not. however, until he had
made a sign as if begging j,ermismoii of D'Artagnan and
I'orthos, a iiermi'-sion which of coi;!.-,e w;is granted him.
D'Artagnan complimented Planchet.
PLAXCllKT'S COUXTHY SKAT.
419
t\v(j men wlio have iu-
I liave often told yim
" Yon are a man who knows how to regnhite his life,"
said hi\
••Monsieur,'' leidied I'lancliet, laughing, <• life is capital
wlii( !i a man should iiivest as well as he tan."
•• And you get good interest on yours," said I'orthos, with a
Liu.Lcli like a tliiuulcr-claii.
rianclu't turned to Ins housekeeper.
•• My dear,"' said he, ••you seethe
tluenceil a ((jusiderahle part of my life
uhniit them."
•• And about two others as well," said the lady, with a de-
cide.d Flemish accent.
••.Madame is from Holland?" asked DWrtagnan.
I'ortlios curled liis mustache, which was noticed by D'Ar-
tagiinn, who noticed everything.
■• I am from .Vntwerp."" replied the lady.
•• .\nd her name is dadame Geiditer,'' said Planchet.
" Vou do not call her madame ".' '' said D'Artagnan.
*' Why not '.' "' asked I'lancliet.
" Because that would make her grow older every time you
called her so."
" I call her Triichen.'"
" A charnnng name," said I'orthos.
" Triu'hen," said Planchet, '• came to me from Flanders with
licr virtue and two tliousand Horius. She ran away from an
n-Iy husbaiul who beat her. Heing a I'icard, I have always
Inved the Artesian women; from Artois to Flanders is only a
step. She came crying to her god-father, my predecessor in
the Kue des Lombards. She placed her two "thousand Horius
witii me, and I have increased them until they have brought
her ten thousand."
•• r.ra'-o, I'lanchet ! "
'• She is free and rich. She has a cow, a maid-servant, and
i'at her Celestin ; she uu'iuls all my linen, knits my winter stock-
ings, sees me only once a fortnight, and seems happy."
•' Indeed I am happy,'" said Tnirhen, innocently.
I'orthos curled the other side of his nuistache.
•• The deuce 1 "' thought iJ'Artagnan. " Can I'orthos have
intentions — '"
Meanwhile Triu'lu'u, understanding what was wanted, had
an. used her cook, laid two extra covers, ])laced on the table
every delicacy which could make of a supper a meal, of a meal
^vt'. ■ -
St.-,, „r!
'I* ' ' '''"■-
420
77//-; I/ro.i/'/v; /,/; /;AM ^7•;/.^.V.\7■;,
a feast: fresh buttor, si.lt hoef, iuichovics. tuiiiiv, I'lanchet/s
wlidlc Kin.-.M-v slidj.; chi.kons. v.-f.fal.l.'s, salad. Hsli from Ih..
lioiid, tisli ln,iii tlic riv.T. j,Miiie I'n.iii tlic iorest, all the produce
of the {inn iiici".
M(.re()V(>r, I'lanchct rotnriiod I'roiu the cellar laden with ten
l.wttles, the glass (.f which was lust beiieatli a thick c(.verinL'
of ^,'ray dust.
This sight delighted the lieart uf J'orthos.
" I am Inuigry," said he, and lie seated liuiiself beside
Madame Tnichen with a killing glance.
J>".\rtagnan placed liimself on the otlier side.
rianchet discreetly and delightedly took his seat opposite.
" Do not be troubled," said he, '• i"f during supper Tnichen
often leaves the table, for she will iiav ; to [irepare vuur sleep-
ing-rniiiiis."
In fact the housekeeper made numerous trips, and tliere
could lie heard on the iiist Hoor the groaning of the wooden
bedsteads and tlie creaking of the rollers upon tlie tloor.
Meanwhile the tliree men, especially I'orthos, were eating
and drinking. It was wonderful to see them. The ten Iwttles
were ten cnijity ones when Triiclien returned witli the eheeje.
D'Artagnan had preserved all his dignity. Porthos, on the
contrary, had lost some of his. They were singing battle-
songs and reciting ver.ses.
D'Artagnan suggested a new trip to the cellar, and as Plan-
chet could not walk with the steadiness of a well-trained foot
soldier, the captain of the musketeers i)ro})08ed to accom]jany
him. They set off humming songs which were enough to
frighten away the greatest Flemish devils.
Triicheii remained at the table with I'orthos.
While the two gourmets were behind the tire-wood making
a choice, they heard the hard, sharp sound made by the touch
of two lips to a cheek.
" To; 'u)s imagines himself at La Rochelle," thought D'Ar-
tagnan.
They returned freighted with bottles.
I'lanchct was singing so much that he noticed nothing.
D'Artagnan, who always saw everything, remarked how
much rediler Triichen's left cheek was than her right.
Porthos was smiling on Triichen's left, and with both hands
was twisting his mustaches. Trucheu was smiling also at
the great lord
''',:■/■ 7^/^V
117/. 17 ic.i.v .s7;/,A' rnoM i-laxchet's house. 421
'I'lio sjiaikliii-r wino of Aiijou first, made of the tliire men
tlirce devils. tli»'n tliice imheciU's. D'Artagnan no longer had
the strength to hold a candle to lighten I'lanehet up his own
staircase. I'lanehet imlled I'orthos, who pnsiied Triichen,
iirrself exceedingly jovial. It was D'Artagnan who found'
the rooms and the beds. I'orlhos threw himself into his,
having l)een undressed by his friend the musketeer.
D'Artagnan fell upon his, saying, " .Von/ ions .' I swore
not to touch that light wine, which is like gunpowder.
I'ie! if the musketeers were to see their captain m such a
state : "
And drawing the curtains of his bed, he added, "Fortu-
nately they will not see me."
I'lanehet was carried up in the arms of Triichen, who un-
dressed him and ilrew the curtains and closed the door.
'-Tlie country is amusing,'' .said I'nrthos, stretching his
limbs, which jiassed through the footboard with an enormous
crash, to which no one paid any attention, so well had they beeu
entertained at I'lanchet's country seat.
By two o'clock in the morning every one was snorino'.
CHAPTER LII.
WHAT WA.S SKKX FROM PLAVCUKt's H0U.SE.
The next morning found the heroes sleeping soundly.
Triichen had closed the blinds like a woman who fears for
heavy eyes the first visit of the rising sun.
So it was still dark behind Porthos' curtains and beneath
riamdiefs canopy when D'Artagnan, awakened first by an in-
•iiscreet ray which crept in through the windows, sprang from
iH'd as if to arrive the Hrst at an assault. He stormed the
iliamber of Porthos, which was next his own.
The worthy Porthos was sleeping like rumbling thunder; in
the darkness his gigantic form was proudly spread out and his
swollen fist hung down outside the bed upon the carpet.
D'Artagnan woke Porthos, who rubbed his eyes good-
naturedly.
Meanwhile Planchet was dressing and met at their bedroom
422
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i ;ij
doors his Uvo jjiit'sts wlio \v(>rt» still S(jiue\vh;it iiiistcady from
the pfft'cts of the [ir»'vioiis evening.
Altlioiigh it was yet ciiily tho entire liouseliold was up.
The cook was jiitilessly slaii,i,'htprini,' in tho lower court-yard
and Father ("t'lestin was jj;atherini^ cherries in tho ^'anien.
I'orthos, always livtdy, held out a hand to I'lantdiet, and
D'Artaj,'nan begged permission to (■nd)ra('o Madanio Triudien.
She, who hoie no ill-will to those whom she had vaiupiislied,
ai)proached I'orthos, to whom the same favor was accorded.
Portiios embraced .Madame Triichen with a great sigli.
Then I'laiichet took ids two friends hy tho hand.
"I am going to show you the liouse," said lie; "last even-
ing it .vas like an oven and we could sec nothing, but to-day
everything is changed and you will be pleased.'"
'•Let us begin with the view," said D'Artagnan, "that do-
lights me beyond everything. I have always lived in royal
houses, and princes know pretty well how to choose their
points of view."'
" I liave always been fond of views myself,'" said Portlnjs.
" At my chateau of I'ierrefonds I have had four avenues laid
out, eacli of which ends in a different outlook.""
" You shall see my prospect," said I'lanchet. And he led
his two guests to a window.
" Ah, yes, this is the IJue de Lyon," said D'.Vrtagnan.
" Yes, I have two windows on this side, but it is not
inuch of a view, — you see the noi.sy inn aiul a disagreeable
neighborhood. I had four windows, but I have kept only
two."
" Let us go on,"' said D'Artagnan.
They entered a corridor leading to the bedrooms, and Planchet
pushed open the blinds.
" Oh, look I '■ said l*ortiios, '• what is that over there ? "
" The forest," said IManehet. " It is the horizon, always a
thick line, yellow in the spring, green in the summer, red in
the autumn, and white in the winter."
" Very y ,-m\ ; but it is a curtain whi(di prevents one's seeing
farther."
" Yes,"' said Planchet, " but one can see what lies
between."
" Ah, that great meadow," said Porthos; " see, what is that ?
Crosses, stones."
" Why, that is the cemetery," cried D'Artagnan.
H7/ 1 7 iiM.s si:i:x FROM pL.\S'<iiEr\s iiorsE. 4-23
Kxiifily," said I'liuiclit't, " I assure you it is very cur
Not. a (lay passes that some one is not buried. Fnntainebleau
is (]uite a [dace. Soiiietinies one sees youuL,' f,''''^. elothed in
white, eivrryiiii,' banners; at otlier times some ot tlie town
(■(iiiucil or ri(di citizens, with clioristers and all the influential
nii'ti of tlie ])arish ; sometimes otHcers of the King's house-
iiold."
'• I should not eare for all that," said Porthos.
" It is not very diverting,'" said D'Artagnan.
'• 1 assure you that it inspires pious thoughts," replied
i'laiichet.
'•Oh, I don't deny that."
'• Hut,"' continued I'lanehet, " we must die some day, and
tiicre is a maxim .somewhere which I remember about the
thought of death being salutary."
'■ I do not say that it is not," said Porthos.
'•Hut," objected D'Artagnan, "the thought of green
meadows, of flowers, of rivers, of blue horizons, of great end-
less plains, id .salutary Um.''
'• If I had them 1 should not reject them," said I'lanehet,
'■ but having only this little cemetery full of flowers, so mossy,
shady, and quiet, I am contented with it, and I think of those
city people who live in the Rue des Lombards, for example,
and wiio have to listen to the rumbling of two thousand vehi-
<les aday, and to the tramp through the mud of a hundred
and fifty thousand feet."
" But living," said Porthos, " living ! "
"That," said Plauchet, timidly, "is just why it rests me to
see a few dead."
" This devil of a Planchet," said D'Artagnan, " was born to
be poet as well as grocer."
'• Monsieur," said Planchet, " I am one of that good-natured
sort of men whom God has created to live for a certain time,
and who find good in everything that accompanies them in
their sojourn tlirough life."
D'Artagnan sat down near the window, and as this philoso-
phy of Planchet's seemed somewhat substantial, he pondered
< ver it.
" Ah," cried Porthos, " we are going to have a comedy this
very minute. Do I nut hear chanting ? "
" Why, yes," said D'Artagnan.
" Oh, it is a poor kind of burial," said Planchet, scornfully.
fr-A.
CM I tl
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4J4
Tin: vnoMii: hi: I!i;a(;i:i.u.\\i:.
'■ Tht'ie i.i only tlic dlHciatiii^ jjiicst, the licadlc, and one clior-
istfr. Y(Mi s<'(', ^,'ontl(Mii(Mi, that tlic (icccascd cciuld nnt liave
hf'cii .1 prince."'
" No ; no one is I'oUowing his cotlin."
" Yes,"' said roithos, " I see ;i man."'
" Yes, that is so ; a man wrapped in a (doaii," said I)"Ar-
taj,'nan.
" It is not woitli looking,' at,'' said I'lauclict.
" It interest:! me,'' said D'Artagnan ijiiiekly, U'aning on the
window-sill.
" 'riioie I Yo\i are boginning to like it,"' said IManchet, de-
lightedly. •• I was just like. that. At tirst 1 was so sad that
1 eonld do nothing Init make tlu; sign of the cross all (hiy long,
and the chants were like so many nails driven into my head.
But since the.i they Inll me to sleep, and I have never seen
siudi i)retty birds as tlmso In this cemetery."
" 1 am no longer interested," said I'orthos. '• I would rather
go downstair.s.''
With a bound I'lanchet offered his hand to Portlios to show
liim the garden.
" What, are you going to stay here ? " said Porthos to D'Ar-
tagnan, turning around.
'■ Yes ; I will join you later."
»• Well, M. d'Artagnan is not wrong," said Planchet ; " have
they begun to bury it '.' ''
"'Not yet."
"Oh, yes, the grave-digger is waiting until the cords are fast-
ened around the cottin. But look I a woman has entered the
cemetery from tlie other end.''
" Yes, yes, my dear Planchet!'' said D'Artagnan, hastily.
" But leave me, leave me ! I am beginning the salutary medi-
tations. Do not interrupt me."
Planchet gone, D'Artagnan devoured with his eyes from
behind the haltWdosed shutters the scene before him.
The two pall-bearers had unfastened the straps of the litter
and were lowering their burden into the grave. A few feet
away the man in the cloak, sole sjieetator of the melancholy
scene, was leaning against a great cypress, keeping his la< >■
completely hidden from the grave-digger and the priests. In
five minutes the coffin was covered. The grave once tilled,
the jiriests turned away. The grave-digger spoke a few
words to them and followed. The man in the cloak bowed to
117/ 1 /■ ic I s .s7.7:.v in<i\i i'/.A\<fii: r\s iinisi: \i:,
111. ■Ill ;is thev icisscil iuhI |i;it u |iifcc nt iiiulify iul,) tin- -^mmvc-
ili'4','i'r's ii;iii(l.
■ M'u;ll<>ii.,:" iiiuiinun'il l)'Ail;if,'iKiii, ••tint is Araniis:"
Ai;uiiis ill I'iu-t rt'iiiiuiicil alone on tliat side at least ; for
sraicely had liti turned liis liead when a w.pinan's step and the
^||^tliIl.,' of a dress were lieard on the path beside Iiini. He
tinned ininiediately and took off liis liat with tlie respect of a
rointier. He led the la(',y to the slielter of some walnut and
lime trees which overshadcjwed an ornate tond).
'• Ah, tin> idea I " said l)"Artaj,'iiaii. •• The Kishop of Vannes
iioldiiii,' a reiide/voiis. He is still tiie Aldie Aramis wlieedliii),'.
cniutiuL,'. playinj,' tiie coxcomh at N'oisy-le-Sec. Ves," ad<led
the musketeer, '• hut in a cemetery a rench'/voiis is saered."
And he liej,'aii to hiu'^'h.
■|"lie conversation lasted a full half honr.
l>"Artai,'uan could not see the hidy's face, for slie kept lier
lurk turned to him, hut lie could see perfectly from the tu-ect
attiiuih' of the two speakers, from their i,'estures, from the
measured and careful manner with wiiich tliey <,'Ianeed at eacli
other iiy way of attack or defence, that tiiey were not speakiuf,'
of love. At tiie end of the conversation the hidy rose and
liowed low to Aramis.
'•<»h," .said J)"/.rtagnan, <'this ends like a hive meeting.
'I'lic cavalier kneehs at the beginning, then the young lady ?s
tamed, audit is she who supplicates. Who is thhs lady '.' I
would give anything to know."
Ihit that was impossible.
Aramis was the first to go. The lady wraiiped her hood
about her and followed.
IVArtagnan could no longer contain himself. He ran to the
window which looked out on the line de Lyon.
.\ ram is was just entering tlie inn.
The lady was going in an opposite direction. Apparently
she was about to rejoin an equipage consisting of two led horses
and a carriage which could be seen at the end of the woods.
She was walking slowly with bent head, absorbed in deep
meditation. ;
'■Mor'/loKx/ .UnrdioHx! I must find out who this woman
is," sai ' the musketeer.
And v.itlior.t furtlier delibeiation he started in pursuit.
As he was going along he asked himself how he could con-
trive to make her to raise her veil.
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'• She IS 1,11! ymiiiL,'," he s;iiil, •• slic is a \vi.iii;iii of 1iil;1i rank.
Kevil tiiki' iiit> il I dnn't kimw th;il ti-urc;"
As lie r;iii the .sdiiinl of liis spiirs ;iii(l nl iiis 1 is ii|i<iii t!i(>
lianl strci't niailc 11 st r;iii;,'c ciiiiikiii;,'. A slinkc ol tMitiiiic <iii
winch 111' liad iKit ciiuiitcd liajnuMiPd to lii'ii. I'lic nuisc
alanncd the lady. .Slu; tlidii^'lit siio was l.ciiii,' toilnwcd,
wliicli was tint', iiiid sIim tiiriiod aroiiud.
|)"Artai,'tiaii started as if In- liail ifrcivcd a ciiar^'.- of .small
shot in his h«!,'s. Then wht'cliii';
" .Madaiiit' (If Chrvifii^f ! " In- nimniiiicd.
!)'.\rta;,'iiaii did not wish to rcturii Imnic wilhotit kiiowiiiij
ovpi-ythin.i,'. He asked Father t'ele-tin to find out from the
grav'e-<li;,'),'er who had been Imried that morniii;,'.
" .V (lour Framjscan memlieaiit," rejilied tlie latter, '• who had
not even a doi,- to love him in the world, and to follow him to
his last restiM<,'-|ilace.''
•' If that wer(i the case," thoii^,'ht 1)' Artai,'iiaii, '-Aramis would
not liave heeu present at his funeral. The Hishop of Vannes
i.s not a dog, so far as devotion is eoncerued ; as for keenness
of scent, I do not sav."
CHAPTER LI II.
HOW fOKTMOS, TKi:( IIKN, .WD I-L.V.N( IIKT I'AKrKI) KlUEXDS,
TU.WKS TO I)'Ai;T.\(i.VA\.
TiiK living at I'lanchefs was good.
I'orthos broke a ladder and two cherry-trees, stripped the
raspberry bushes, but could not reach the strawberries on
account, he .said, of his belt.
Truchen, who had already become (juite .sociable rtith the
giant, said to him :
" It is not your belt, but your corpulence."
And Torthos, carried away with joy, embraced Triichen, who
gathereil hiiu a handful of strawberries and made him eat
them out of her hands. D'.Vrtagnau, who arrived in the midst
of the proceeding, scolded I'orthos for hisla/iness and silently
pitied Planchet.
I'orthos breakfasted well, and when he had tiuished .said,
looking at Triichen :
«
///i.vA's lit ;> \nT.\<i\A.\.
All
" I could fiijiiv iiiysoif Ihtp."
Tiiiclifii siiiiIimI ; so did I'liuiclit't, liiiL not witlioiit soiue
«'iid>;irnissiut'iit
TlicM I)".iit;i;^'iiiui .said ti> I'orllios :
" Voii must iiiit let tlic d(di'_'''ts of('ai>u.i iiiakf you toigft
till' i<m1 object ot our visit to ' 'i taiiichlcaii."'
".My ]iif'sciitaliou to tlic Kin^ '.' "
•' Kxactly. I am ;,'oiu!,' to makt a t(,iirof tlic town in lucpa-
lation for that. Do not leave licic, I !)•".,' of you.''
•• Oil, III I ■' exclaimed I'oithos.
I'lamdiet 'iioked at 1 )'.Vita:^'iian in fear.
•' Will you lie away lon^' '.' " !i(> asked.
•• No. my friend, and this evenin",' 1 shall rid yuu of two
\ery t rou!)lesoni(^ f,'uests."
•' <>!i, .M. dWrta^naii, canyon say — "
" No. your heart is hu\i;e, but your house is small. Suidi us
it is, with only two acres, it would lodi,-e a kiuL,' and make him
liaii|i\, but you wck; not Ixirn a j^reat lord."
•■ Nor was .\I. I'orihos eitlier," murmured I'lamdiet.
••He ha-^ becnme one, my dear fellov.-. He his had a
hundred tlioiisaiid livres a year for twenty years, and for fifty
years he has had two lists and a bai-kbone whieh are unrivalled
111 the beautiful kingdom of France. I'orihos is a verv i,'reat
lord beside you, my son, and — I shall say no more. I kmnv
you are intelli,L;ent.''
•• No. iiujnsieur, explain."
" Look at yimr stvipjied orchard, your emi>t\ lard"r, your
broken bedstead, your e.Kli.iusted cellar. Look at — Mr.dame
Truchen — "
•• Ol:. Heavens I" said I'lanchet.
" I'orthos, you see, is lord over thirty villages, in wliich are
three hundred sjirigliMy vassals ; Porthos is a man of im-
portance.''
•' Heavens I ■' repeated I'lanchet.
•• Madame Triichen is an excellent per.son. Keep her for
yourself, do you understand ? ''
And he sla})pcd Planchet ou the shoulder.
At that moment the grocer saw TriKdien and I'orthos, 'vho
had gone to an arbor.
Tnudien, with a grace of manner wholly Flemish, was making
for I'orthos .-i p;iir of ear-rings out of d.iiihle cherries, while
I'orthos was laughing amorously like Samson witii Delilah.
I <
i
9'
K\
III
428
Tin-: V [COM IE DE BRA(;E/.(h\.\E.
Planchet press.'d D'ArtaRnaii's hand and liastt'ued towards
the arbor. Wo will do l'.,rlhos the justice to s:iv tliat he
did not move. He jirol.ably thou-ht. that l;e was (h.in-
iiotliiiif,' wroiii;. Triiclieu did net iiio\e citlior, wliirli ujk.i
IMaiudu't. Hut he liail see- enoM,t,di i'a.shidiialile immijiNmii lii .
shop to put a },'ood lace ou the matter. He took I'ortlios
hy Mie uriii and -i-.-ested tlial tliev -.. and h„.k at tli.^ li.jrses.
Porthos said tliat lie was tired, i'lauchet proposed tliat the
Baron (lu \ aHou nhouhl taste some cnrdial wiiiidi he li;id
maih^ liimself, and wliieli was without equal. Tlie baron
ac'ceptod.
Tlius it was tliat throughout the day I'lanciict occupied his
enemy. He sacrificed his cellar to save his pride
l)"Artau'nan returned two hours later.
'• Kveryihing is arran,i;ed," .said he. •• I .saw his .Miijcsty as
he was leaviji^' for tlu' chase. The Kiir.; expects ns this cven-
incf.''
" The Kin- expects nu: ! " cried I'orthos, draw in- himself uji.
.Viid it must be confessed — b)r a man's heart is an ocean
wave — that fmiu th;it time on I'orthos ceased to h^ok at
Madame Trtichen with that toiudiing affection which had
softened the heart of the woman of Antwerp.
riaiudiet encouraged tliese ambitious fe.dings as mi;cli as
possible, lie related, or rather repeated, all the splendors of
the last leign, its battles, its sieges, its ceremonies. He sjioke
of the luxury of the English, of the three | .i/es carried oti by
the three brave comrades, of whom D'Artagnan. the humbles'^t
at iirst, had liiially become the leader.
He louser; tlie enthusiasm of I'orthc.s by reminding him
of his vanished youth. He boasted as nnich as 1
of the morality of this great lord an<l of his
respect for friemlslrp. He was cdcxpient, he w
he charmed Torthos, made Triichen tremide, and l>".'rtagiian
think.
At si.K o'clock the musketeer ordered the horses to be saddled
and told I'ortiios to dre.s.s. He thanked I'lauchet for his kind
hospitality, whispered a few words about a positio.i tliat
miglit be obtained for him at court, which immediately raised
I'lanchet in Triiidien's estimation, in whi(h the p..or grocer, so
goo(h so generous, and so devoted, jiad been lowered "since the
appearance of the two great lords with whom she had eom-
liared him. 8o, however, are women made. They desire
le could
religious
Was clever,
li
Til A SKS TO It' A R T. I ^'.V. I .V.
420
Khiit tlii'v liavc not, iiiid wlion tliey liavc it, disdain what thoy
ll,l\c S(Mli,dlt.
llaviiii,' reiidt'TPd this servico to liis friend I'lanchet,
I)Aita.!^iian said in a h).v tone to l'oith')S ;
•• My friend, you liave on your finger a beautiful rinj;."
" It is wortli tluce liundred ]iistoles,'' said I'orthos.
'• Madame Triichen will icinenibt'i- you better if you h-ave
liiM- I hat riui,'," said D'Artagnan.
i'ortiios hesitated.
" Do you not think it beautiful enough ? '' asked the nuiske-
tcer. '• Well, I understand you. .V great hu-d like you does
not lodge \s-ith an ohl servant without paying handsomely for
his hospitality. ]>ut believe nie, I'lanchet is so good-hearted
that lu- will not remember you liave a hundred thousand iivres
a year.*"
'• I have a great mind," said I'orthos, flattered by tiiis
speeidi,"to give .Madame TriUdien my little farm of twelve
ae'rcs at IJraeieux. That is as good s a ring."
" That is too much, my good Portnos, for the present ; keep
it for later on."
Fie took the diamond from his friend's finger and approached
Tiiirhen :
" .Madame," said he, " M. le Baron does not know how to <a.sk
you to accept out of love for him this little ring. M. du
Vallou is one of the inost generous, the most discreet men I
know. He wanted to otft>r you a farm which he owns at
iSiacii'ux, but 1 dissuaded him."
"Ohl" said Triichen, devouring the diamond with her
eyes.
" M. le liaron ! " cried I'lanchet, overcome.
"My good friend," stammered I'orthos, delighted to have
been so well represented by D'Artagnan.
All of these exclamations made a pathetic ending to the
day, which might have clo.sed in a ridiculous manner, i^ut
I)' Artagnan was there, and whenever he had control things
ended only according to ids will and desire.
They all embraced. Triichen, restored to herself by the
inuniticence of the baron, realized lier place and merely offered
;i timid and blushing foreliead to the great lord with whom
the evening before she liad been on such familiar terms.
I'lanchet himself was overcome with humility.
In his geiiirous way Baron Porthos would willingly havft
i m
430
Tin: VKo.MTic j)i: i'.nA<;i:L<)XNi:
emptied his pookots into the liauds of the eook and of Celestin,
but l)'Artaj:jnaii stopped liim.
"It is my turn," said he; and lie gave one pistole to llie
woman and two to the man.
There were benedictions which would have rejoiced tiie
heart of If'irpagon, and rendered even liim lavish.
D'.Arlagnan nuide I'lancliet lead him to tlie chateau, and
introduced Porthos into his own apartments, ndiich he en-
tered without having been seen by those whom he feared to
meet.
CHAPTER LIV.
0::'-
J
.|ifM'« rr
\U
1 !l|
THE PRF:SKNTATI0.V of I'ORTHOS.
That same evening, at seven o'clock, the King gave an
audience in the grand drawing-room, to an and)assador from
the United Provinces. The audience lasted a quarter of an
hour. Later his Majesty received those wlio had been re-
cently presented, and a few ladies whom he honored first
with his attention.
In one corner of the rcxmi, l)ehind a column, Porthos a ,d
D"Artagnan were conversing together, wliile waiting for thea-
turn.
'•Do you know the news'."' asked the musketeer of his
friend.
- " No."
" Well, look."
I'orthos stood on tiptoe and saw .^^. Fouqnet in court dress
leading Aramis to the King.
" Aramis!" said I'ortlios.
" I'resented i)y M. Foiiquet."
'•Ah!" exclaimed I'orthos.
" For having fortified Helle-Isle,"
" An.l I ? ••
" You '.' Oh, as I liave had the honor of telling vou, vou
are the good-natured, kind-hearted Porthos, and so they begged
you to look after Saint-.Mandc a little."
" Ah : ■' repeated I'ortlios.
continued D'Artagnan.
;S./
THE rHi:Si:.\TATI('\ OF I'ORTUOS.
131
" T?iit fortunately I was on the spot," said D'Artagnan,
• iiiiil presently it will be my t.irn."'
At that moment Foiuiuet was addressing the King.
'• .>i'-e,'' said he, "1 have a favor to ask of yonr Majesty.
M. d'llerhlay is not ambitions, but he knows that he can be
list ful. Your Majesty needs a powerful representative at
Home. Can we not find a cardinal's hat for M. d'lierbiay ?"
Tlio King started.
•• I do not often ask favors of your Majesty," said Fouquet.
" That is a reason," replied the King, who always ex-
pressed liesitation by that remark, to which ouo could" make
Hc n ly.
_ ouqnet and Aramis looked at each other.
The King continued :
" M. d'Herblay can serve us in F'rance also. Au archbish-
opric, for instance."
"Sire," objected Fouquet, with a grace that was all his own,
" your Majesty overwhelms M. d'Herblay. The archbishopric
may, in your Majesty's great kindness, be supplemented by the
hat. Or.e does not exclude the other."
The King admired the "<'ady wit and smiled.
" D'Artagiian could not have answered better," said he.
No sooner had he uttered that name tlian D'Artagnan ap-
peared.
'• Did your Majesty call me ? " said he.
Aramis and Fouquet drew back a step- as if to retire.
•' Permit me. Sire," said D'Artagnan quickly, drawing Por-
tiios forward, " to present to your Majesty M. le ]}aron du
Vallon, one of the bravest gentlemen of France."
At sight of I'orthos, Aramis grew pale; Fouquet clinched
'lis fists under his ruffles.
!>'Artagnan smiled at both, while Porthos bowed, visibly
moved by the royal presence.
'• I'orthos here 1 " mui-mnred Fouquet into Aramis' ear.
" Hush, there 's treachery afoot ! "' replied the latter.
" Sire," said D'Artagnan, "six years ago I shou'd have pre-
sented M. du Vallon to your Majesty. But some men are like
stars, they do not move without a train of friends. The
Pleiades are never disunited. That is why in order to present
>r. du X'alion to you I chose the moment when you would see
>i. d'Herblay by his side."
A'.:!...^ ; almost lost countenance. He looked at D'Artagnan
III
i ,. .1
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in?. '6
iUJ
1
432
THE vicoMTi: [)i: nn.[<.i:L().\M:.
iskeil tilt! Kiiii,'.
"ler. Ask M.
prmidly as tli(>u,i:h to pick ii]i the ;,';iuiitlct, tin; latter sPiMnfd to
liavo tlirown. down.
" All, theso gentlcinoii are ltoou fiiends '.'
" Kxct'lleiit, Sire, One can answer for the o
do Vannes Imw Itcllc-Isle was fortilied."
Foii([U('t moved hack a stcn.
" I?eile-Isle," said Aranus, coldly, "was fortified hy mon-
sieur."
And he indicated I'orthos, who howed a second time.
Louis admired, yet distrusted.
" Ves," .said D'Artagnan, <• but ask M. le I'.aron who helped
liim in his work."
" Araniis." said I'orthos frankly, and he pointed to the hisliop.
" What the (h'vil does all this mean '.' "' thought the hishuj),
"and how is this comedy to end '.' "'
" What ! " exclaimed the Kin<,', •• tlie cardinal — I mean the
bishop — is named Aramis '.' "'
"lli.s tiniit lie (fucrri','^ said l)*.\itai;nan.
"A nickname,'' said Aramis.
"Away with modesty ! " cried I)'Arta;:rnan. '•• Beneath tlu.s
priest's robes, Sire, is liidden the most brilliant officer, the
most intrepid gentlenum, the nujst learned theologian of your
kingdom.''
Louis looked up.
"And an engineer ! " said he, admiring the really admirable
physiognomy of Aramis.
" \n engineer on occasion,'' said the latter.
"My companion in tha musketeers. Sin'," said D".\rtagnan,
warmly, "the man who more than a huiulied times has by his
advice supplemented the designs of your father's ministers *- M.
d'Herblay, in a word, who with ^\. du V.dlon, mystdf, and M.
le Oonite de la Fere, wlu) is known to your ^Lijesty, formed
thiit (piartette of wliom many were talking during the late
King's reign and (hiring your minonty."
'•And who ftu'titied ISelle-Isle '.' "' repeated the King, signifi-
cantly.
Aramis advaneed.
" Li order to serve the son,'" said he, •• as I served the
fatlicr.''
D'Artagnan k)oked intently at Aramis while In; uttered these
words. There was in them such true respect, such hearty
devotion, and so much incontestible conviction that even
T'lE PliESENTATION OF PonTHOS.
433
IIP. r>'Artagnan, tde eternal doubtor, thp infalliblp, was de-
ccivod.
"One (Iocs not use sucii a tone when one is lying," saiil lio.
Louis was inijiressod.
" In that case." said he to Fouquet, who was anxiously await-
ing tlic icMill, ol' this test. " the iiat is granted. M. d'Herbhiy,
I jiroMiise you tlie first ])r()niori(in. Thank M. Fouquet for
it."
These words were overhrard by Colbert, wlio was completely
upset by tiieni. He left the room abrui>tly.
•' And you, M. du Vallon.'' said the King, '• wliat have you
t ) ask? I like to reward those who served my iather."
'■ Sire," said Tortlios. liut lie was unable to ])rocced.
•'Sire," saitl D'Artagnan, " this worthy gentleman is over-
iiime l)y your Majesty's iiresence, he who so boldly sustained
tlie onslaught and the tire of a thousand enemies. But I know
lit what he is thinking, — I, who am more accustomed to gaze
upon the sun, — and I will tell yon iiis thoughts. He needs
uithiug, lie desires nothing save the happiness of looking
upon your Majesty for a (juarter of an hour."
•• You siiall sup with me tliis evening,"' said the King, sa-
luting Porthos with a gracious smile.
l'orth<>s became criul^on from joy and pride.
The King dismissed him, and D'Artagnan pushed him into
tlic next room after he had embraced him.
" Sit next me at table,'' said I'orthos in his ear.
" Yes, my friend.''
'• Aramis is vexed with me, is he not'.' "
" Aramis never loved you any too well. Think that I have
just secured for him a cardinal's hat I ''
"That is true," said I'orthos. " liy the way, does the King
like one to eat mncli at his table ? ''
•It would flatter him.'' replied D'Artagnan, ' for he him
self lias a royal appetite."
'• You enchant me,'' said Porthos.
Vol. If. — 28
t- \\
Mi n .
Hi
* m
J<5fT
484 77//-; VICOMTE hi-: nUAdEIMNNI-:.
CilAlTKR LV.
Kxrr,ANATn>Ns.
AuAMis cloviM'ly pftVctcd a di version iii order to find
D'Arta.LCiiaii and I'orthus. He came up to the latter behind the
foluMin and, pressinj^ lii.s liand, said :
" So you liave escaiieil Ironi my prison '/ "'
" ])() not scohl Idin,'' said l)"Artagiian, "it was I, dear
Arainis, who set him free.''
" Ah, my friend," n'i)lied Araniis, h)(>kin<( at I'orthos,
"could y(ju not have waited with a little more ])atience '."'
D'Artagnan came to ihe aid of I'orthos, who was already
beginning to breathe liard.
" Voii churchmen,'" said lie to Aramis, ''are great politicians.
We soldiers come straight to the point. The facts are these :
I went to pay Haisenieaux a visit."
Aramis i)ricked up Ins ears.
" Wait,'' saiti I'orthos, " you make me remendier that I have
a letter from Baisemeaux for you, Aramis.''
And I'orthos handed the bishop the letter with which Ae
are acquainted.
Aramis begged jjermission to read it and did so without
D'Artagnan's fVeling in tlie slightest degree embarras.sed by
the fact that he knew the wliole of its contents. Moreover
Aramis had such goou control of his face thut D'.Vrtagnan
admired him more than ever. The letter read, Aramis put it
into his pocket in a perfectly calm nuinner.
" You were saying, my dear taptain," said he.
" I was saying," replied the musketeer, "that I had gone to
pay l'>aisemeanx a visit in liis Majesty's service."'
" His Majesty's service ? " said Aramis.
" Yes," said D'Artagnan, " and naturally we spoke of you
and our friends. I must say that Baisemeaux received me
coldly, so I left. As I was leaving a soldier approached me
and said — he probably recognized me in spite of my citizen's
clothes — 'Ca])tain, will you be kind enough to "ead the name
on this letter'." .\nd [ read, 'To M. du Vallon, Saint-Mand^,
At M. Fouquet's.' ' Punfirii,^ said I to myself, ' I'orthos has
not returned as I thought to Pierrefonds or lielle-I.^.lc, liut is at
Sainc-Mande at ^l. Fouqm: 3. ^r. Fouqv jfc is not at Saint-
EXPLAXATloXS.
486
Mandc, so I'orthos is alono or with Animis. Let us go to SLa
I'oitliiis.' So 1 went."
" Very good ! "' sjiid Arainis, tlionjrhtfiilly.
" You did not toll mo that," said Porthos.
" I did not have tinio, my friend."
"And you brought I'orthos to Fontainebleau ? ''
" To J'lanchet's."
" DoPF, rianchot live at Fontainebleau ?" asked Aramis.
" Yes, near the cemetery," said I'orthos. thoughtlessly.
"Near the cemetery?" asked Arami.s, suspiciously.
"Come," thought the musketeer, "since there is to be a
squabble, let us take advantage of it."
" Yes, near the cemetery," said I'orthos. " Planehct is cer-
tiiinly a good fellow and he makes d-dicious j)reserves, but
stiiiie of his windows look out oii the cemetery. That is
mouniful I This morning — "
'•This morning'.'" said Aramis, more and more agitated.
I*'Artagnan turned his hack and walked to the window,
where he began to play a march t>u one of the panes of
,L,'lass.
•■ This morning," continued Porthos, "we saw a man buried
there."
" Ah ! "
" It was depressing. I would not live in a house from which
I was constantly seeing funerals, but D'Artagnan, on the con-
trary, seems to like it very much."
" All, so D'Artagnan saw it ? "
" He -'id not see it, he devoured it with his eyes."
Aran IS gave a start and turned to look at the musketeer ,
hut the latter was already in deep conversation with Saint-
.Vignan.
Aranns continued to question Porthos, and when he had
squeezed all the juice from that gigantic lemon he threw away
the rind.
Turning to his friend D'Artagnan, and clapping him on the
shoulder :
'■ Friend," said he, when S int-Aignan had gone, for the
King's supper had been announced.
" Dear friend," replied D Artagnan.
'• The rest of us do not sup with the King,"
" No, but I do."
" Can you spare me ten ?ninutes ? "
4;iH
////; \i( oMiE hi: iinMiEi.oss'i:.
• >
■I i ■"
11--
"Twenty. \\\> Miijt'sty will rccpiirt" th.it time tn jjet
sf'iitr'il."'
'• Wlicrc sh;(ll \V(" t:ilk 7"
" Why, lit'r(\ on ihcso sisits. 'I'lic Kinj^ has giiiic nml wo can
sit. down. 'I'hc room is cniiity."
'• ('(inif, then."
They sat down. .\i'aniis took one of D'.Vita.cjnan's liamls.
'' Tell nu', my dear fiicnd,'" waid lie, " whether you liave
made I'orthos distrust me a little."'
" I have, but not as y(jii think. I saw tliat Torthos was
bored to ih'ath and I wislieil by presenting' him to tlie King to
do i'or liim and for von what vou would never do fur your-
selves."
" What •.' "
"Sing your praises."
■■ Vou (lid it nobly. Thank you."
" And I broUL,'ht the eardiiial's hat, which was slii)ping
away, a little nearer."
" 1 admit that," said .\ramis, witli a strange smile. '• \'ou
are indeed the only man who m;ikes his fr'i'nds' fortunes."
'• \'ou see, then, liiat 1 aeted only to make that of I'orthos."
'• I had undertaken that, but your arm is longer than ours."
It was D'Artagnan'L turn to smile.
" Come," said Araniis, " we owe e.ieh otlier tlie truth. l)u
you still love me, my dear D'Artaguau? "
♦The same as ever," replied D'Artaguau, without com-
promising himself by this answer.
"■ In that case, thanks. And now let us be -perfectly
frank," said Aramis. " Vou went to Belle-Isle for the King?"
" run/tcK .'"
" You wislied to deprive us of the pleasure of offering Belle-
Isle completely fortified to the King '.' "
" r>at, ii.y friend, in order to deprive you of that ])leasure, I
shou' 1 have had first to be informed of your intentions."
" Did you come to I?elle-Isle without knowing anything ? "
•'About you, yes. IIow the devil do you suppose 1 should
know that Araniis had become enougli ol" an engineer to
fortify like I'olybius or Archimedes? "'
" That is true, vet vou knew somethiug was up."
'• Oh, yes."
" And I'ortiios, too ? "
" My dear fellow, I did not suspect that Araniis was an
i:.\PLAXA Tioys.
487
(Mi'^'iiipor ; T (lid nnt iin.ij^iiie that I'ortho^ liad become one.
Ilit'ie is a Latin sayin^j: 'One beconu's an uiator, one is born
a iioet,' but it has never been said — ' One is born a Porthos
ami become an enf^ineer." "'
•• Voii are always delightfully witty," said Aramis, coldly,
'■ but let me go on."
'• Do so."
" When yon discovered our secret you hastened to com-
municate it to the Kini,''.' "
'• 1 made all the more iiaste, my friend, since I saw that you
were in such haste. When a man weij,'hin>,' two hundred and
tirty-eii,dit pounds, as I'orthos does, rides posthaste; when a
^'iHity jirelate — 1 beg your pardon, but you told me so your-
Mlt — rides like the wind, 1 supjiose that these two friends, who
did not trouble to notify me, had matters of the greatest im-
IdPtance to hide from me. And so, faith, I made as much
iiastc as my leanness and the absence from goui. would allow.''
" .My dear friend, did it not occur to you that you might
lie rendering I'orthos and me a sad service? "
• It did occur to me. But you and Porthos made me play a
very absurd part at lielle-Isle."
'■ Pardon me," said Aramis.
" Excuse me," said D'Artagnan.
"So that," continued Aramis, "you now know every-
thing ? "
'• Faith, no."
'• Vou know that I had to tell M. Fouquet at once in order
that he nught inform the King before you did ? "
" That is obscure."
" Why, no. M. Fouquet has enemies, you will admit."
" Oh, yes."
" And one in particular."
" A dangerous one ? "
" Mortally so. Well, in order to counteract the influence of
this enemy M. Fouquet had to give the King proof of great
devotion and great sacrifice. He surprised his Majesty by
offering him Pelle-Isle. Had you reached Paris first the sur-
prise would have been spoiled. We should have seemed to
yield through fear."
" I understand."
" That is the wliole mystery," said Aramis, satisfied that he
had convinced the musketeer.
i
Si t
S^i^
c
3
Ml .ft i
cn
488
TiiL y/coMti: i>H iii{\<;E!.(>ssi:.
" Only," said tlic latter, " it \miii1i1 liavi> ln'cii siinplpr to
have taken ine aside at. lielle-Isie ;iiiil said to me, • ^ly dear
friend, we have bee" fortifying' liidle-Isie-en-Mer in order ti.
offer it to tlie Kinj,'. Do ns tlie favor to tell us for whom you
are aitiiiL;, Are yon a friend of M Colhert nr of M. Fnn-
quet '.' ' Perhaps I siiould not liave answered, l)ut you nnf:jht
have addeil, 'Are you my friend'/' And I should liave
answered ' Ves.' "
Araniis bent his liead.
"In that way,'' continued D'Artaj^nan, "you would have
silenced nie, and I should have said to the Kinj^, ' Hire, M. Fou-
quet is fortifying' l?tdie-Isle, and doini; it well, too. l>ut here
is a note whuh the (iovernor of l>elle-Isle gave uie for your
Majesty,' or ' M. Fouquet is about to pay you a visit in regard
to his intentions.' 1 should not have been jilaying a foolish
part, ycm would have had your surprise, and we should not
have neeiled to look askanee at each other when we met."
" While to-day," said Arainis, "you have acted wholly as a
friend of M. Colbert. Are you his friend '.' "
" F'aith, no I"' said the captain. " ^T. Colbert is a mean
fellow, and 1 hate him as I hated .Mazarin, but witliout fearing
him."
'• Well," said Araniis, " so far as I am concerned, I love M.
FoiKpu't, and I am working wholly for him. You kiujw my
position. I have no means. M. Foiupiet has had me given
several benefits and a bishopric. M. Foucjuet has often come
to my aid, like the gallant man that he is, and I know the
world well enough to aj'preciate a kindness ; so M. Fouquet
has won my heart, and I am at his service."'
" Nothing could be better. Vou have a good master in him."
Aramis compressed his lips.
" The best, I think, that any one could possibly have."
Then he j)aused.
D'.Vrtagnan was careful not to interrupt him.
" Vou know, probably, how I'orthos was mixed up in all of
S.I ,1- . i
" No," said D'.Vrtagnan. " I am curious, it is true, but I
never (piestion a friend wluj wishes to keep anything from
me."
'• 1 will tell you."
" It is not worth the trouble if the conf.dence is to bind me."
" Oh, do not be afraid ; I love Porthos better than any one,
/■:x/'LA\ \rii)\s.
489
lit'iaiiso he is simple and c;()<nl; I'oitlios is strai'^'lit forward.
Siiicf [ have becomt' a l)isli(i|( I iiavc lunUi'il tni' simiili' iiatiircs,
wliirli make me love trutli and hate iiitrij,'iu'."
|)'.\.rtaj;nan stroited his i.iustachi'.
■• I saw and cultivati-d I'orlhns. He was idle. Uciii;^ with
iiiiii recalled my earlier and better days without leadini,' me
into any wron^-doinj^ at present. 1 siinnnoned I'orthos to
N'ainies. M. Fou(piet, who loves nie, havin;.,' lieanl tiiat I'or-
tlios eared for me, ])romised him increase uf rank at the earliest
promotion. That is the whole secret."
" I shall not take advanta^'e of it," said l)'.\rta<.,'nan.
•• I know that, my dear friend. Xo one has a finer sense of
lionor than you."
" I flatter myself tliat such is the ca.se, Aramis."
'• .Vnd now — " The prehite looked searcliinLrly at lii3
friend. " And now let us talk about ourselves ; do you want to
become one (d' M. I'ou(iuet"s friends '.' iJo not interrupt me
until you know what that means."'
'• I am all attention."
'• Do you wish to become a marshal of France, peer, duke,
and the possessor of a duchy wortli a million '.' "
" Hut, my friend," said D'Artagnan, " what must 1 do to
get all that ? "
•' Belong to M. Fouquet."
'■ But I belong to the King, my dear friend."
" Xot exclusively, I suppose."
" Oh, a D'Artagnan is only one person."
" You have, I presume, ambitions, like every great man ? "
" Why, yes."
" Well ? "
" Well, I desire to be a marshal of France ; but the King
will make me marshal, duke, peer. The King will do all that
for me."
Aramis fixed his cle.ar eyes upon D'Artagnan.
" Is not the King master? " said D'.Vrtagniin.
" No one disputes that; but Louis XIII. was master also."
" Oh ! but, my dear friend, between Richelieu and Louis
XIII. there was no D'Artagnan,'' said the musketeer, quickly.
•• There are many stumbling-blocks around a king," said
-Vramis.
" X"ot for the King."'
'< Probably not ; but — "
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" Wait, Araiiiis. 1 sec that overv one is thinking of liim-
seit and never of this poor priuee. I will sustain myself hv
sustamin;' him.""
'• Anil ingratitude ? "'
" Weak people fear that."
" '^'o.i are sure of yourself ?"
' ■' 'link so/'
"I?i. 'le King may have no furtlier need of you."
" Op. ihe contiaiy, I tliink he will have more need than ever
of me : and, my dear fellow, if it were necessary to arrest a new
Cond.'. how would it be done? By this I By this alone in
Franc(> I "'
And i)".\rtagnan struck his swcvd.
" You are right," said Aramis, growing i)ale.
And he rose and grasped I)"Artagnan by the hand.
'• There is the last call for supjjer,"' .said the captain of the
musketeers. '• You will permit — "
Aramis threw his arm around the musketeer's neck, and
said :
" .\ friend like you is the brightest jewel in the royal
crown."
Then they separated.
'•I was right," thought D'Artagnan ; "there is something
afoot."
" We must hasten to set fire to the powder," said Aramis.
" for D'Artagnan has discovered the fuse."
CHAPTER L\'I.
til
MADAMK A.Vl) 1)K GUICHE.
We have seen how the Comte de CJuiche left the' room the
day that Louis XIV. had so gallantly offered to La Valliere
the iM.irvcllous bracelets won in the lottery. The count
walked for a time outside the palace, his nund be.set by a
thousand susi)ici()ns and anxieties. Then he stopped on the
terr.;ce opposite the grove of trees, and watched lor Madame's
departure.
.V full half-hour passed. .Vlone as he was at that moment,
the count could not have had manv diverting ideas.
MADAME Ayn DE GI.ICHE.
441
Tie drew his tablet.s from his pocket, and after much hesita-
tion wrote tliese words :
" Madame: I hvij ijnu to fjrant me a i)inm()if\s ronvrrsntioii.
J)n not he (ihirmi'd at tills rr'/ufst, irhirh si(jn'ijies nnthimj
beyond tlie deep respect w'ltli trhieli J am,'' et ., ete.
He \.m\ signed and fohled tliis strange k)ve-lettor when he
observed several ladies leaving the chateau, then several men:
finally almost the Queen's entire circle.
He saw La Valliere herself; and tht.i sav,' ]Montalais talking
with Malicorne. He saw the very last of the gtiests who but
a short time before had filled the apartments of the queen
mother.
Madame had not passed. And yet in order to return to her
rooms she would have to cross this court-yard which Pe Guiche
could see from the terrace.
At last he saw her leave attended by two pages bearing
torches. She walked (piickly, and on reaching her door said :
"Vages, have some one find M. de (Juiche. He has to give
me an account of a mission. U he is free beg him to come to
me."
I)e Guiche remained silent, hidden in the shade ; but as
soon as Madame had disappeared he darted from the terrace
down the steps and assumed the most indifferent air, as the
j)ages, who were already hurrying to lis rooms, met him.
" Ah, Madame is seeking for me,'' said he to himself, quite
overcome. And he tightened his hold on the now useless note.
" M. le Comte,'' said one of the pages on perceiving him,
'' we are fortunate in meeting you."
" Why so, messieurs ? "'
" An order from Madame."
" From Madame '.' " said De Guiche, looking surprised.
" Yes, M. le Comte. Her royal Highness is asking for you.
She savs you are to give an account of some mission. Are you
at liberty?"
"I am wholly at her royal Highness's orders."
" Be kind enough to follow us, then."
Arrived at the princess's apartments, De Guiche found her
[tale and agitated.
At the door stood Montalais, anxious at what was going on
in the mind of her mistress.
De Guiche appeared.
44:
THE VICOMTE 1)1. HIlAaELOSNE.
c
8
Mi n i
Ml fit
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i<l
" A'l, it is yo\i, y\. do Giiiclio," siiiil Madamo ; " piitpr, I beg.
MadciuDiselli' de Moiitalais, you aro no longer nettled."
.Monlalais, nioie puzzled than ever, eourtesied and withdrew.
The two others were left alone.
The count had every advantage ; it was ^radanie who had
siinunoned Inni to an intervi(>w. lint how could he best use
this advantage ? Madame was so whimsical and so changeable.
She soon showed this, tor suddenly opening the conversation
she said :
" Well, liave you nothing to say to me? "
lie imagined she must have guessed his th(jught ; he fan-
cied — tho.se in love are so niaiic, being as credulous and as
blind as poets or prophets — t'.iat .-,he knew his desire to see
lier and the leason for this desire.
" Yes, Madame," sai«l he, "and I think it \„ry strange."
" You mean the affair (jf the bractdets ".' " she cried quickly.
" Yt's, .Madame."
'• You think the King in love, do you '.' "
De (Juiidie looked long at her. Her eyes fell bef(u-e that
glance, which pierced to her very heart.
'• I think,"' said he, "that the King may have had an idea of
annoying some one; otherwise he would not seem so much
in earnest as he does ; he would not risk compromising a young
girl's heart, hitherto untouched."
" Such a bold creature I '' said the princess, haughtily.
" i can assure your royal Highness,'" said De Guiche, with
respectful firmness, "that Mademoiselle de la Valliere is loved
by a man who must be respected, for he is a gentleman."
" You mean liragelonne '.' "
" My friend, j'es, Madame."'
" \Vell, even though he is your friend, wliau difference does
that make to the King ? "
"The King knows that liragelonne is affianced to Madem-
oiselle de la Valliere, and as Raoul has served the King
valiantly, his Majesty will not do him an irreparable injury."
Madame burst into a laugh, which produced an unfortunate
impression upon De (iniche.
'■ I repeat, Madame, 1 do not believe the King is in love with
La Valliere, and tlic proof that I do not believe in it lies in the
fact that I was about to ask you whose pride his Majesty
wishes to wound. Von who are well acijuainted with the court
can help me in finding this out more positively, since it is said
AfADAME AND DK GriCIlE.
448
, ,
everywhere that yovir royal Highness is on intimate terms
with tlie King."
Madame hit her lips, and in default of any good reasons
she changed the subject.
" I'rove to me," slie said, fixing on him one of thf)se looks in
wliicli her \v}K)le soul seemed to lie bare, " that you were going
to (niestion me when 1 sent for you.''
I)e (Juiche gravely drew out from his tablets what he had
written and showed it to her.
" Symjiatliy,'" said slie.
" Ves," saiil the eoiuit, with indescriba})le tenderness, "sym-
iiatliy. 1 iuive explained to you liow and why 1 sought you,
but you, Madame, have still to tell why you sent for me."
"True."
She liesitated.
" Tliese bracelets will drive me to distraction," she said
suddenly.
<' You expected the King to offer them to you ? " said De
(juiche.
" Why not ? "
" l>ut before you, Madame, his sister-in-law, did not the
King have the Queen to ccmsider "/ "
'• Before La Valliere," cried the piincess, stung to v,h'^ quick,
"did he not have me ? Did lie not have the entire court ? "
" I assure you, Madame," said tlie count, respectfully,
"that if any one were to hear you speak so or to see your red
eyes and, God forgive me, the tears which tremble on vi Mr
lashes, every one would say that your royal Highness is
jealous."
" Jealous ? " said the princess haughtily, " jealous of La
Valliere ? "
She expected to see De Guiche bow before her proud and
liaughty tone, but he answered bravely :
'• Yes, Madame, jealous of La Valliere."
" Am I to sup))ose, monsieur," she stammered, '• that you
wish to insult me '.' "
" I think not, Madame," replied the count, somewhat agi-
tated, but determined to calm that stormy anger.
"Leave me!" said the princess, exasperated. De Guiche'a
calmness and silent respect turned her pride to rage.
De Guiche stepi)ed back, bowed slowly, grew as white as his
cuffs, and in a slightly altered voice, said :
m
'.-.■.■,v
444
THE VICOMTE DE liUAGELONNE.
'• ll WHS luinlly wdrtli 1113- trouble to liave hurried liere in
Older to submit to this disgrace."" And lie hastily turned
aw;iy.
lie had not taken five steps before Madame darted after him
like a tigress, seized him by the sleeve, and turning him around
said, trembling with fury :
" The respeet you pretend to feel is more insulting than the
insult. Come, insult me, but at least speak! ''
" -Madame," said the eouiit, gently drawing his sword, '• pierce
me to the heart, but do not kill me by degrees."
At the look he fi.xed on her — a look full of love, resolution,
and even despair — she realized that the man outwardlv so
calm would pass the sword through his own breast if 'she
added another word.
She snatched the sword from his hands, and pressing his
arm with a pa.ssion which might havt passed for tendeniess,
said ;
'• Comte, bear with me ! You see howl am suiferin-r yet
you have no ])ity." "'
Tears, the clima.K of this attack, stifled her. Seeing her cry,
De Guiche took her in his arms and carried her to a chair. In'
another moment she would have suffocated.
" Why," murmured he on his knees, " whv do you not tell
me your troubles ? Do you love any one'.' Tell me. It will
kill me, but not before I shall have comforted, consoled, and
even served you."
" Oh, do you love nie as much as that ? " said she, con-
(piered.
" I love you as much as that, Madame."
She placed both her hands in his.
'• I do love some one,"' said she, so low that .die could scarcely
be heard.
But he heard.
" Is it the King ? "' he asked.
She .shook her head gently, and her smile was like a rent
in the clouds through which, after a storm, one seems to see
heaven.
"Hut." she added, "there are other ]>assions in a high-born
heart. Love is poetry, but the life of the heart is pride. Oomte,
I was born (.;i a throne. I am proud and jealous of inv rank.'
W hy does the King gather around him such unworthy ob-
jects ? "
MADAM/- A.\D DK GUI CHE. 445
'.'. t", ■','"1 """'''" """""•' '" """It tl'at ?•■
" les, ' he replied.
;' Prove it, then/' said sl,e, quickly.
court tin/ firK^'' "^T"' ^^^'''''""'- ^^ '-^ «^i^^ thron<^hout the
CO .t tl itthe king loves you and that you love the Ki,i. '
\\ e , said she breathing with diffieultv.
" tli.^t^Tr'T' '"''' /' "'' '=^'''" ''^'^'"^ ^^ Guiehe, sighing
iuartei, and to-day my ignorance has saved my life "
so you carry egoism and coldness so f'lr" oi,] vr i
M,.a. ,v„,, .„„„■ i« .„i. ,„„„,p, ,„„-„r,„ii;v,rt'l-rr'
■'■ Biiuhf bSe,:'r' ■■'■'' '■'"'"'° ""' ■""''■' «'""^ '» -■"
whei;L;!T;rf„ TT " '■""•"•'« ™<^^ ""^ P"neess was over,
ne n e,l by ,t an,! f,-„m ll,at ii],„„ent she was silenceil But
the h te t ,P n ^ "" "'"f "' ^'"^ '^y^''' «f ^ ^^«"ian bv giving
She guessed that he suspected La Valliere, and that in order
IJ 1
hi
"^H
440
■////• ViroMTI-: l)i: nUACKLOXNE.
^^^< —
<M«|!f
'tll
III
to giv.. Imnsclf tiino tu ,l,;u.-.' l,is <.i,ii,i„i,s. in ,„-,lor not to ruin
the Kill tnivv.T, h.. n.MMVf.l lur limis.-lf u .linrt lin., „f r,,,,-
(liict iiiicl let mined In.iii liutlitT plain si.ciikni"
III a word sl.o mul all L.t In vr's t nu' irn'atm..s.s, all his
generosity ol heart, a.ul felt her own h.-art wanned bv contaet
with so i„nv a l„vo. In spite nf his tear „t displeasing her,
J'e (■niehe, l,y reniaiiiuig a man ui real worth and of devotion
1-eeanie a hero, an.l redue.'d her to the iH,sition of a jealous'
sn.all-nunded woman, i'or this she love.l him s<. tenderly that
she eould not help <,Mvin.,' him a j-mof of lier affection.
" How many words have been wa.sted," said she, takin.- Ids
hand, •• suspicions, an.xieties, doubts, and griefs ! 1 tliink we
have uttered them all."
" Alas, yes. Madame! "'
'• Drive them from your heart, as I will from mine, onnt.
U Jiether La \ alliere does or does not lov.> the King, or whether
the King does or does not love La Valliere, let us, from tin-,
moment, make a di>tinction in the two parts we have to ])lay
You open your eyes so wide that I am sure you do not under-
stand me."
" Vou are so impetuous, Madame, that I tremble always for
tear ol disi)leasing you.''
"See how he trembles, poor fellow!" said she, with the
most charming playfulness. " Yes, monsieur, 1 have two roles
to play. I am the sister of the King, and the sister-indaw of
Jus wite. bo ought 1 not to take an interest in these domestic
intrigues ? Give me your opinion."'
♦' As little as possible, Madame."'
" Agreed; but it is a question of dignity; moreover, I am
tlie wile of Monsieur.''
Be CJuiche sighed.
" Which."" said she, tenderly, "ought to make von treat me
always with the greatest resiiect."
(Hi
t •>
•ried he, falling at her feet, which he kissed as if
tliey were those of a divinity.
" And"' she murmured. "'l believe that 1 have still another
role to iday, one which I had forgotten "
" AVhat is it •.' "
"I am a woman," said she, in a lower tone, >< and I love "
He an.se. She opened her arms. Their lips met.
A footstep was heard behind the tapestry. Montalais ap-
peared, ^
MO\TALA/S
" What is it, iii,ul(
IV/> MALlColiXi:,
inoisell*. ••' " said Madame.
447
.('I'll,,,. „,.,. I ,. „ — '■ • '^'i'" '>iaiiaiiie.
f""- role ; f " ^ e U uu . '■ 'r'*"'*'"" "' ^''^ '^"^'"•'^ "^ ^''-«
played Jm. ' '" '""' ^■"•'^•«tently and I.eroically
CHAl'TKU LVII.
M(.\T.U..VIS AM, MAI.rrouVK.
JrnxTAr.Ais was rj.dit M ,l.w,.; i
direction, was j,'reatlv"ex,;,se, M t H "V ''",'"'"""*^'l i" every
..^ 1- w.!;,^, r; ;r^; :;lrf ^"r"'"'^' '^=^'^^"- -» «"'^e
violated the (,,.asi.rova o le. . , '.^'^V"^' "" ^"''"y
missed. ' '" ^'' '^■'"'•1' «!'« li'i'l boen ,!{«.
-l.e„, without t^kn^Lto "ah?'' ''" ^7'"'^' ^''''^ --«
politeMess rerniires e\%n h .H. ^^^^'^'^'f ,^s the must ordinary
throhbin, heir nd he. c Z'r^"''^' V ""^ ^™'" ^'" -'^1.
^-Hi raided bidj; ;" r ;S ^ T', " r''"''"T7'*'' ""«
Chdrnbin said a h.mdred ^ , J J '//'"-^'f ''""''l «^y.. a:^
liappines:; on his lips ' ''^*^ ^^^ '""■e eternal
af,ntated. The you . ,.,- H tt ' "'"' '" " remained was
her and murmum?:° ^"'^ ^^"■^'^^' '"^ •l"^«t.on.ng ghu.ce aiound
"This time I know as jnueh -is fh« „, ^
couhl desire to know." '"''* '■'"'"""^ ^^'"""^n
Madame was so embarrassofl K,- fi ^ • ■ •.•
if .she had heard ^^-^Sf-^a^T'^T'"'^'"''^'^'''^'^
word to her maid of honor but vt'h !• . "'" ''''^ ''' '^'""^^
«leeping-room. ' ^"' ^o^^■eTed eyes entered her
Seeing this, ^Vfontalais listened.
She heard .Ma.hime lock iier door
i'rom Miat momenf she knf-u- H,.>f .i,
^<"'l making bel,i„d the do^ J ^ f '."^"^' '^'^^ ^'^'- o^^'" ?
p J s
'I^^'t'
'■iff-':
■h
S.V
I
448
'/■///•; vicoMTi: Di: iiu [tn.i.owi:.
princPSH," slie w.M.t .l„wu tl,.- stairs to find Mulic.nio wh., was
en-ag.'. f(.r tlin ,n..i,.,.i.t in watcl.in- a c.,nn..r eoveml witl.
dust wlio liad just lett I).' (Juu-lic's apartuitMits
Moutalais ui.d.'rst.)..,! tiiat .Maiic.iuc was on<'aK'.'d i„ -i
matter ..f smn.. iiuii.utauce ; she lot l.ini l..ok an-fstrptcl. Id's
neck, aud wl.eu Malicurne had resumed Ids natural i.ositu.n
she asked :
" Well, anything,' new 7 "'
"M. de (Juiche is in love with Ma.lanie."
" Fnie news ! 1 know something,' more recent."
" What do you know '.'"
"That >radame is in love with M. de (iuiche."
'• The one is the result of the other."'
" Not alway.s, my fine sir."
" Is that remark meant for me '.' "
" Present company is always excepted."
" Thanks,'" .said Malicorne.' " And m the other direction " "
he continued.
"The Kin;.,^ this evening, after the lottery wished to see
Mademoiselle de la Vallieie."'
" Well, and did he see her ;'"
" No."'
" No ? "
" The door was (dosed."'
" So that — '■
"So that the King returned looking like a robber who has
lorgotteii his crowbar."
" Good."
" And in the third place '.' "' asked .Alontalais
"1 he courier who has just arrived f.u' M. ,1,. (iniche was sent
by M. de Jiragelonne.
" Good : '• said .Moutalais, clapping her hands.
" >> hy good ';' "
" because there is work for us. If we become bored now,
something evil will hajipen." '
"We must divide the work,"" said Malicorne, "in order to
avoid contusion."
"Nothing is easier,"' replie.l Montalais. "Three intrigues,
wel nursed and carefully managed, will produce, one with
another, at the least three notes a day.'"
" Oil !" exclaimed Malicrne. shruggin- his shoulders • " vou
cauuot mean what you s;.,y, my dear ; three notes a day may do
^toyiAI.Ms AS
l> M t /./(■(>/,• \/:.
fo
441t
ronlinarv sontinicrits. A musk
1" ;ic()tiv(Mit, 111
"■ thnnifrh ;i 1,„1
. "l.iyoxc|i;iM,l,'0,l;iih
>f tf
•' 111 tiio wall. A
leir i„„,r Ijttl,. hcaits. I
■"'W' royal love-maki,,;.
•'tct'i- (111 (liitv, a
'""<'>* fi"iiitlH."t,,i,;,f a la.l?!
'i"f'' '•'Mifaiiis all fl,,. ,M„.t
"'f' ^^-I'l' "S nil, h,,w li,,|
yonnu. ^'ul
er
r\
W
fiiiisli
'iiav coiiit'
, sa
i<l M
oiitalai-
iiii|ia(ifiith
Finish : I li
«• Vim
^"lllf (IIIC
iU'iiUy, li<. will 1
IVO Olliv 1
>''i,''ini.
• •n'licc/
•■And
was f,'nlllj,' u
■^•■"<i Motital
you will diivi'
'•' H"' (ifatlKpf
I )i
ivc still fl
'"<'. with his J-
"■'■•' I mints."
'•■iiiish iiidif-
f'acli (Hi
' ^iiy that
iiK- Iliad witl
At th
"■!•• I!ut wl
Mir h
lat arc
I yi.iir It;
\<'rs uiil l„. \vi
yon driviii- at
ilian vivacity. |
i'i'i^' vdlunii's to
1,, V ^ ■■•" .)""i urn lie;- at ' '"
.eivcs.- '" "^'^ •""■ "^ -- J-'-— keep the letters she re-
'■ Very likely ndt."
" M. de (;iiicht> will iiof d'..-« f i i • .
" 'n.at is probable ' *" ^'''' '"' ^■'^''«'-''
;;S.^:^''^'^";'l<e,.areofal]t]iat.-
^^^h^.s^just what is impossible,- said Malicorne.
La;v!:is;:^^;:',2i;;;! vZ^t; '^'^''^^' ^•-"- --m is
;'«'tuigand sear,diin,.tho ; ,,;,f'r;^''^'''''^''' ^f'e habit of
I ■■I'" very ,„nch afranl of | 1 ) , !'^ "* '""""■• '''^^-^^--^e
Spaniard; of the <1 een m he T.'' '''" ''^ '" •''''^'""'^ "'^^ ^
Sj'Hniards; and ii. alir of ' L^^^^^ 1 as jealous as two
ten Spaniards.-' ^ ^Madame, who is as jtalons as
;;Vcni^f;..;get some one else/'
"•Monsieur."
^"DeGuifhe, number two •'
•• -'■-;-" r.r„s,"ir:.„'r;i,;';" ,'/"-' >-»" ■■ -
Vol. U.^2» ""'^' '"^ "'fo it."
1
*$:'■
^'
<;
mm
911
m
460
////; \ico\iii: i>i: ii/nai-i.owi:.
"CVrtaiiily I will f(,ll(nv vou, and vet "'
" Ami yet '.■ "
'• Wliile fli.Mv is still turn- I think if w.miM l.o wis." to tmii
back."
'• And I, ,.n tlii< (•(.ntiafv. think th.it the wisest (■..iirse is to
|Mit oniM'lv..s at nnee at the Imm,! ul nil tliese intrif,'ues.-
" \ on cannot do it,"
••Witli ynn I n.nld mana-e ton. I am in mv element, you
see. I was I,,, in to live at court a.s a salamander 'is hom to live
in the fire."
" Vourcomj.arisondoes not in the le.xst rea.ssiire me. ,ny dear
tn.'nd. I h;ive heard it said i,y scholars that m the first j.la.'e
there are no .salamamlers ; that it there had heen any ihey
would have heen haked or roasted un l.^avin- the fire." "
" Vonr .scholars may he very wise so far as salamanders are
'■oncerned. hut they wcmld never tell vcu what I ,an tell vou •
mimely, that Aure -le .Montalais is destined before one m'onth
has passed to become the tirst diplomatist at the court of
r ranee."
" He it .so. but on condition that I shall be the ,M-cond."'
" Aj,'rped; an offensive and di'fensi\o allian<e.''
''(»idy be earetul of my letters."
'■ I will <,'ive them to you as they are i,nven to me."
"What shall we tell tlie Kin^' about .Madame '.' '' '
'• That .Madame is still in love with him."
"What shall we ttdl .Madame about the Kiii^'?"
"That she would be very wrons,' not to humo'i- him."'
" What shall we say to La Valiiere about Madame '.' •'
" Anything we wish, for La Valiiere is in our ixjwer "
" How so '.' "
" Doubly."
" But h()w ? "
" In the fir.st place through the Vieomte de Hragelonne "
" E.xplain yourself."
" Vou are not forgetting, I hope, that M. de liragolonne has
written nuiny letter.s to ^Lulemoiselle de la Valiiere;'"'
" I am forgetting nothing."
" It was I who received and hid these letters."
" And consequeutlv it is you who have them " "
" Ves."
" Where •.' Here / "
"Oh, no, at i'.lois. In tlie little room you kiu)w.*
■f^m
•'/O.V/ lA (/.v ,,x/)
MALI'
•i/:\/:
461
n
'( ti
• •;ir htt
I' iiiiiiii
I
I'' |ial,tcf III w
It'CKHI-
htt!
nil', Vdii .s.iv
V.s
Di.l
id all 1 1
iicli yuii sliall
I'll" 111)
sKiiH' (lav li\f
H'tttTs ;iie III tliat littl
\ntc-cli,iinli
lint |»ar(l
t^ riioiii
oil
you II. ,t put fh,.„| j„ ;i i)„^.,
''•■rtaiiilv. Ill tl
ft'ivcd iroiu V
•' same hox in wliidi I
llt'SS <ll-
Incuts."
"". :i''<l III wliich I j,la,.,.,l I
plpasiirc pitnoiitt'd vou 1
pill tllUS(> I
"lino when Vdiu- In
isi-
lum ke<-],iiig your apjioint-
"All. v..,-VKo,„i:" said Mali.Mn,,..
" ^Vliy tins satisfa.tinii ,,f voiiis"''
.^.::.»tn;;.:„t::-,'t,;:T^;:;;;'E,;^'-' «-«-o
•■ 1 nil i)n,iij,dit tilt' 1m)x '.' ■■
•• It ^.as.lrar t..ii, ...,., „ai„i,.fv,„„ v.ui "
•• And now ^ (i.mj y.,,j.,[ ■>
'•Wily Hnal :'•'
'• I>o we need auxiliaries " "
'• ]^one."
'• \ alets or maid servants ' "'
reeei^e*'tiem'''()t:''H" ^'"'' T'" »'^*^ '^' letters ; you will
M Malie.; "e am S. ";:,;;''"'," T I"''''^ "^^""* >t ; 'otherwise
"wn am.ir then elv^ ' n'f " t'''' T' ''^"""''"'S t- their
see then. earS:un.;:;Lers"" '^ ""'' "^* ^^^"- """''« *"
^Aotjung. He is opening his window."
l^et us go.'
And both disapj.eared, the compact bein- settled
.-on S'TV;f ,:,r"":|."r ""'-' «"»°»' "1 ..» G„iche.s
alo„e in one, to t v,7nr '"""'.'""«"«'' '"isht »..|'l«»e -
lead and re-read the ]ZTr k u a."'- '^'^^ ^'^"*^'" ^^^d
impression on hiii. ' ^^''^ ^^'^ produced a deep
'X-'.^'i'
c
.^i'4
%li
4o
Tf/r: vicoMTi-: de Hii.\<.i:u>syK.
"Stn.ni^e, straii,r;c." he luurmnre.l. '• l,v what ixnv..|-ful
means destiny loads men to their lutes ! " "
And h.avin<,'the window to approaeh' the li^d.t. for a thinl
ime he read the letter, the lines of wnieh seemed to burn into
Ills memory as into his eyes.
-My DEAuVo^^^T: T foumi M. d, W.nWes „f Calais; h,
hmi Oren srnous/,, ,rmnuM In an affan- with M. ,},' Bnckina-
Imm De \ardrs,as ynn k„;n: is a In-ar. m,n,. hnt malivioL
a, Id irirbed.
" lie conrevsed with mr ahnnt yon. /,„■ whom he says he has a
deepn;jard and ahont Madame, whom he thinks heantiful and
anuahie Jle has .jnessed f/onr lore for a eertain person Ih
also talkea to me ahonf the person whom I love, and showed
the .jreatst^ interest, e.rpressin;/ a deep pit>/ for me. He added
howerer huds that at first alarmed, bnt whieh I jinalh, looked
upon as the outeonie of his nsnnl lore of mustern '
" These are the /-"K-/ •''
"He had reeeired news of the court Yon will nnJ-rstand
that It was onhj thron;ih M. de Lorraine.
-The,,sa,,, .sornns the report, that ^ a ehan.je has taken r'ace
mthe hun, saffeetions.' \ on know whom that eoneerns.
.\e:rt, the report continues, ^ there is talk of a maid of
honor, who is the snhjeet of t/ossip.' ' ^
''These luujue rumors hare not allowed me to .sleep ,;ince
yesterday I hare been rejrettin;, that nu, weakness of character
/ins, in spde of a certain obstinacy, left me unable to renin to
these insinuations. i- J '^
SiY T-"'^}'^^- ''' ^\'"'''^''' "'"■' ^''"''''!/ .f'»' Pnris and I did
not delay /us departure b ■ explanations. It seemed to me hard
he'aleT' ^" '" '"'''"""^ " '"""' "'''°^'' "'O'""/-^' ">'''« scarcely
''In short, he tra relied by easy ..ta yes in order to he present
he said, at a curious spectacle whirh the court cannot fail to
offer within a short time. •'
" He added to these words a f'w congratulations and condo-
lences I couid not understand the f rst am, better than the
second. I was brwildered by my thoughts and b,, a distrust of
this man, a di.strust whieh you know better than ana one else
•Hat 1 hare nerer been able to orercome. '
_ ' But once he was gone my mind became clearer. It is
impossible Jor a man of De Wardes character not to have
Mo.yr.iLA/S AM) MALlCOnXE.
453
tnshno,ted mine of hi, o>r, n,allr. „Uo tl,
iin/i'isxil
I'onri'rsiitlon we
thr.nfon', tl,„t hi thf
m,,stn-;,H,s lunf^ Dr 11%,.' io^rrjorr. timt ai f/,e
>f .1.1 not ornn-to ,„,■ t„ J.U.,. „,, j;_ ,/„ „,,^,,,^.^, /l^^j^ /
I'fiirf ■ I -^ I I <• ■'
iinct
'III Lrphnnttioii of /us ret I
t'>!t'>u iritk tills /.^/«.;.A;;.A\';;;'4xy'':^;''!;'"' '''•:'';'•''■''
JJ. lie ty'ii-ilis irtl arr rr silinrtl.j T . >
--^^ //; ,o„ .10 not ni /, t:^: J:i:.f"; y "p^^;^'
pr.ten.lnniiof J/. ,,, Burkinr/hnni. hTllt't l',n{ //"/''"
of tmiis with Miidonir Tl • l'. "'' "" ''''« f"'>^f
>•/'■'/ of atteiidhui to th,> r::„ ■ """ .'\""f '"'>■" .for the nerex-
Jn iiion-rri ^ ^^"'!r^roiiu>u.xion before enterhuj into
Whaterer he
-Ihn-u this leffrr irhi.h OUnnn u-lll .,u-e i,ou
s'i;/s !p,u nwij vehj on. ' ''
'' Hiire the kiiidniss, mii dear ,-n„ut t ,,
reinemln-anee of ModeinoJledelaVml: nd j'"" /". !'"
most respectfuUi/. I^"(ltei>; udiose hand I kiss
" Yours derotedhj,
" VlCOitTE Df nRAOELOXXE.
...J- /,.«,« „jUr the i-mipl of ,„„,. Ulh,:" '"■'*"
K"tmv, "you nrc interfering in ,ny aft,;;' V e'w ","'"
"'■11. I s 11,11 lo„k into vfinr. \Tr ■""• '"■ '''" Wardes.
I...,rt ha, .-ntruste, itse 1 ,^ , ' %'" -™°' I;""'- Kaoul. your
.vatel, over it" ' ^"-^ "°* I"" "■»' I shall
ess
17
454
THE VICOMTK UK Ht!A<i ELOXSK.
With tliis pvnmisp Do Giiiclie lio^'i^'t'd Miiliconio to oome tn
liiin at oiiff if ixissihle. M;ilici)iii(> came in icsponsc to tlie
rp(iupst. witli an alacrity winch vas the first fruit of iiis con-
versation with Montalais.
I>e (Juiche, who thou.irlit liis motives were unknown, ques-
tioned Malicorne; hut the latter, who was workin-r m the dark,
guessed wliat liis (questioner believed conceahnl.
The result was tliat after a (juarter of an liour s conversa-
tion, durinj,' wliich DeCuiehe tliou^'iit he liad discovered the
wliole truth about La \'alliere and llie Kinu', he had learned
absolutely notiiin^' beyond what he had seen with liis cnvn eyes;
while Malicorne ha.l learned or j,Miessed that Kaoul felc, some
distrust, and tliat De Guiche was going to watch over the
treasure of the Ilesperides.
Malicorne accepted the otHt'e of dragon.
De (Juiche, believing he had done everything jiossible for his
friend, had no further thought excejit for liimself.
Tlie following evening De Wardes' return and first appear-
ance before t^u- King wire announced. After that visit the
convalescent was to go to Monsieur's.
De Gui( he was there before the time for De Wardes' visit.
CHAl'TEil LVIII.
HOW DE WARDES WAS RECEIVED AT COURT.
MoN-siEfR had received De Wardes with that marked favor
which a frivolous mind, anxious for novelty, bestows on every
newcomer.
De Wardes, who, as a matter of fact, h.ul not been seen for
a month, was fresh fruit. To treat him with kindness was, in
the first place, a sign of infidelity to old fiaends ; and this
always has its charm. Furthermore, it was a reparation he
could make De Wardes. Monsieur, therefore, treated him
with especial attention.
The Chevalier de Lorraine, who greatly feared this rival,
but who respected a nature in every way resembling his own,
tliough more courageous, received De Wardes with greater
kindness even than Monsieur had shown.
//'>JF nE UARWCS WAS RErKn-ED AT Cnria
'"-'■■te„us ro,ni,]in„.„t.s. affe win,.} ?. eM-lianj,.e,l th. most
Monsie,n- and [o the oil^, ;,S;,:;,;*"^ ^
annon^l^l/it iLr'Liin.r:;-'^'^"':^'^?- ^1=^"-- was
-"I knowi„. all ledet; of h ''•"■'"'''' '^ ^'^ '^■''^'•^^•^'
Twoo.tin.eHa.ios;:?;;rt::;;.titi:^h:r'''^^''^^^
|4:n,h;.s:;s-^^;^:!.^:;:::i-;;-^
■ecivcl hi,u ' "^'^'"'^ ^^■'^^' ^^'''i'-l' -^'adaM.e had
^;^;^ and .eV.„H.e. A: ;;;...:;';e;ri>r^S;:^,^;-;[
two i,er.sons who wero liston ' to 1 ' f^ """''t^''' '" *'"«
iorward towards the t a olio "t "' ,f'" •^""'"'.'^'"y I'ent
"thor .nattors. ^"-^^^^J". i he traveller was speaking of
- ^:t ^Tft^r v.:i^h;.!;[';S' ^'^'^" ^ ;': ''^^'-^ --"'i '-ite
the charge. tightening of heart she rer.uned to
she' I!k:^>r 'Iriilve 'he 'i ■;;•''"'• ^T'-' ''■ '^^ ^^■-•'j- • ••
l.e wound;i.-' '"''"^ '''^^' >°" ^'^-^^J the misfortune to
,.^^^t was l>e ^V..,es• turn to start. He compressed h.s
" No Madame ■■ said he, " scarcely at all "
A I'i .vet m thi.s horrii.le heat -"
.^^llie sea air is fresh, Madame, and then r had one consola-
•' Oh. so much the better ! And what was that ? "
t>:t:
ii^^
^1
%\
iHtmi
ni
*!ll
4o6
77//; VICOMTI-: I)E BIIAGELOXXE.
'' Knowing tliat my adversary was sufFerin.' even more
tlian I."
" Ah, lie_ was wounded nua-e sericjusly than vou '.' I did nut
know that,"' said tlie jirineess, with utter indiiference.
" Oil, Madame, you are mistaken, or rather vou pretend to
misunderstand my words. 1 did not sav that' physiealiy he
liad snttered more than 1— it was his ieeiings that were
atteeted."
])e (niiclie understood from wliat .juarter tlie storm was
coming; he ventured to make Madame a sign he""in" lier to
give up the struggle. ''^ '""
Hut witliout replying to De Ciuiehe, without apparently see-
ing him, she said, still smiling :
"A\h:'t: M. de Huekingliam's feelings affected" I did
not know until now that a wound of the heart could be
healed.
"Alas Madame/' replied De Wardes, gra-iously, "women
believe that, and that is what makes them superior to us in
conhdence."
"My love, you do not understand," said the prince ini-
patiently. - M. de Wardes means that the Duke of lUick-
inghams feelings had been hurt by something besides a
sword. ' ,-. . t.
T "•Y*'a1'",'''o ^f'^'''^!"^' " 't i^ -^ Jf'it of M. ,]e Wardes-, only
1 wisd. M de Buckingham could enjoy it. Really, it is a great
pity that he is not here, M. de Wardes."
A flash passed from the young man's eyes.
"Oh," said he, between set teeth, "I wish so too."
De Gniche did not move. Ma.lame seemed to expect him
to come to her assistance. Monsieur hesitated. The Chevalier
de Lorraine advaiiceil and spoke.
"Madame," said he, " De Wardes knows wll enoucrh that
for a .uckingham's lieart to be touched is nothing new, and
what he has said has already been seen."
" Instead of an ally, two enemies," murmured Madame
"two enemies desperate and in league with each other," aiul
she changed the conversation.
To change the conversation is. as every one knows, a ri-ht
ot princes, which etiquette requires ail to respect The rest
of the conversation was moderate, the principal actors having
hnished their parts. Madame withdivw early, and Monsieur
who wished to question her, ollered her Ids hand. '
now l>K WMtDi:s WAS UKi^FAVEU AT COritl
. . -naljor was ^veM]y afntid that a., un.h.rstan.liMj,'
M t en>:l to r.,na,n ,i,u..tiy uu^-ther. He th,.,ef.,rc ...ad. Ins
^.| o M.msH.urs ai-artinnits f. surprise hiuMm l.is return
and .lestrny ,u a lew wnnls all the ^ood in.pressions Ma. • , e
lui-ht liave l.eeu al)le t.. sow mi his heart '>'-t«'-i»ic
DfMjuieho tn,.k a step towards De Wardes, wlu, was sur-
rounded by ,u,te a en.wd. In this way hj nul.cat 1 "s
a,l De Wanles .showed that he understood. For stran^M-rs
ruin a\v;iy and wait.
He di.i not wait Ion- De Wardes, freed from his „nes-
.aid th^ «;""'' ^^^'"'' nnpression, my dear De Wardes,"
'• Exeellent, as you see."
" An(i your spirits are still gay '.' "
"Gayer than ever."
'•That is very fortunate.''
'• What would yon have ?
this world, and so absurd."
" Vou are right."
" '^ on are of mv o[iiiuoi), then -' "
;; J «I'oul<l think so. .\ „d you bring us news ? "
^o, taitli, I have eome liere to i;et some "'
"IJuty.m must have seen i)cople at Boulo-ne • one rf n,,,-
tnends, and that not very long ago." '''""'''""^ ' «"« ^^ »'"
'• People ? One of ouV friend.s"? "'
" You have a short memory."
" Ah, that is true. Yon mean Bragelonne " "
"les."
^, "^Who was going to exeente a mission to King Charles
^^.-rhatwasit. Well, did he tell you or did yon not tell
wh;.u:i;;rm:tniM;:f-?^*'^'^'""'^'""^^-'^--^-^
•V-InllP'r ';•'"" !?':' ;''^'V "« knew perfectly wel.
;;" K <■""'"'• ^attitude, wh.eh was eold and dignified,
^hat the c.onversation was about to tak. a disagreeable
Everything is so ridiculous in
I: !
HI
ift.>^
i
H'
t i
<m
Hi
mm
III
458
77//.; VI COM TIC 1)1-: iiii.\(ii:ij)s.\E.
and to kf'op on
turn. 11.. n-solve.! to lot it take its coniso
Jus guard.
asLdltc'ul:''"'^'""'''^'"*^'''''^^^^
"About La Valliero.''
'• La Valliere - wl.at is it '.' An,l what was tl.at strai.ire
" I>o you put this question to me seriously ""
" 1 could nut be more serious."
"What! Vou a courlior. living at Madame's ; you, a m.est
-De Guiclie reddened with anger.
" To what prineess ,h. you reler ? " said lie
m',V •' ' ' v"""" *'"'/ ""•"' "'^' *'*^-"" ^'^llo^^-- I am speaking of
>L hnue. Vre you devoted to another princess, tell me'"'
De Ouuhe was about to laumd. forth, but he saw the'fenit
A quarrel was imminent between the two voung men e
Tld e 1)"; " ''" '',"';"■'"' *" ^'' ^"'>- "> ^^'='-!^'^'"e's name
v,hilel)et,uiehe would not anept it save in La Valliie's
From that moment it became a series of feints, whieh was to
last until one or the other was touche.l
De (Jui.die, therefore, resumed all his self-possession.
cieai i)e W ardes, said he, " it has to do with the matter .if
which we were speaking just now."
" What was I saying ? ''
" That you had concealed certain things from Uragelonne "
\ou knew that as well as I,"' replied JJe Wardes.
"rso, on my honor."
" ("ome, now."'
sweai- ■•'"'' '"'^ '''^ "" *'^'" ^ •'^'''■^^ '^'^«^' "«t otherwise,!
l..™'"'\'/ ''•'? ■'"'* '''"■'''^•^ f'""'" a distPucP of sixty
gues, while you have not stirred from here. Vou have seen
V h your oun eyes what rumor told me at Calai.s. and ym
;;';;;;;.::;■; ■'•^'^' "''^^ ^"'' '^^ ""^^ '^-- ^^^-u„t;you^:
kn^w';:;,!:;;;^.-'*^ ^" ^•"' ^'^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^-'^^^^ ^ut I repeat I
" You are discreet. That is prudent^"
^jkMl:^MJ
'■.'-*
now l)E WAKDES WAS RliVEl VEl) AT COI'HT.
4o<J
' ■fiyou will tell me nothing more than y.ui told i;ia<'e.
lonno '.' ' •' o
" Vou are i-reteiulins to be deaf. I am r.-nvinccd that
.Madame ,ias not more ( ommand ..vcr hcrsclt than have you "
" Ah, double hyixMiite ! " murmiucd J)e Guiche, '• tliere von
are ..•uniiiiit; to tliat subject a|,'aiii '. "'
" Well, tli.'n,-' continued JV Wardes, "since it is so ditHcult
tor us to come to an understanding about La \'a!li('re and
lirageh.ime, let ns talk about your owi personal affairs."'
" 15ut," said I)e -Miiclus " 1 have no ],ersonal affairs. Vou
said nothing about me, I suppose, to JJragelonne widch vou
would not re[wat to me." "^
" No but please to uuderstand. I)e (luiche, that ignorant as
1 am ot certain matters, I am .pate as well uj) on others If
tor instance, I was speaking to you about the intimacies of m'
de I.uckmgham at Paris as I did on mv jonrnev with the
(iuke, 1 could tell you many interesting things. ' Shall I do
De Guiche passed his hand across his forehead, which was
damp with perspiration.
'•• .No,'- said he, - a hundre.l times n,.! I have no curiosity
about that which does not concern me. >[. de IJuckiicdiam is
but a simp e ac.piamtanceof mine, while K'u.ul is mv intimito
ruM.d. I have no curiosity, therefore, to know whathai^pened
to M. de I uckingham, while I take the greatest interest ia
knowing what happened to Kaoul "
" In Paris ? "
"Y> .in Paris or Boulogne. Vou understand that T am
here It anything happens I am readv to meet it while Raoul
IS absent and has only me to represent him. So liaoul's
atlairs before my own."
" But Kaoul will return ? "
" Yes, after his commission is executed. In the meantime
evil reports cannot be circulated about him witlu.ut mv inquir-
ing into them. ' '■
"Especially since he will remain some time in London/'
said De Uarues, chuckling.
"You think so?" asked 'l)e Guiche. innocently
" I should think so ! J)o you believe he was sent to London
simply to go there and return ? No. he was sent to London to
stay there.
"Ah, count," said De Guiche, grasping De Wardes' hand,
4f^0
77//; virnvTE DE nii\aF.Ln\\r:.
m
)
*
<
Htm"
ti
*iij
"this is .-i very s..n.„.s s„s,,i,-,n„ I,,- I:.';.;,.!.,,,,..., u-hich f„llv
f.mhnns what 1h' wrui.. t„nH-ln„„ l!,,,.!,,..,,,. - ■
'>•' Uanh.s iHM.aiiH- r,,^ a.^^in : his l„v.. „l raJlhTv h h1
<-'|n II in til T iH ' K .
" UVll. iMiiM', what (li,l he write ? " ]ic askod
■;ih:it y„u ha,l i„a,h- s.,,,... ,.vii ii,sinr.atio„s a.'ainst U
a;;;;:'-;;r;:;;;;/s:i--''^''''''-^''"^^'''^'-'^^
•'\es I.li.l all that/' said D. War.los, " an,l I was nndy
.n. I ,lHl „ to h..a.. Iron. th. V-onU. ,le l!..a,.h,„nA h t'
■H- na„savstoan.,tlu.rw]M.n th. latt.f has d-sph-aM.! h .
in tl... sam." w •, Un- u.staiHe, if I u..,v s^Hv ■■ a .,„ , 1
w.th you, I .shouhl tHl you that, .Madau.e, at,..,- Ikuu t' , vn
th. ..vatest ,,,vl..,v„... to,. M. ,„. I^u.k.u.ha,,,. ,s :„,""
S'liVlh/'rliT'"''' n/'t Wou,„l ,„o iu tho l.a^t, ])e \Va..,h..s,-'
fi . „ .,",■' '!'•"'"'- '" '1'"'' "^' ^''^' '^'"ve,- which nm
tluouuh^h.n. 1,1.. „,., MVhy, sucha lavor would LeT
'• -V^n-ed : ],„t if I wish.-.l ahsolutHv to pi,.], a qua|.,d with
you 1 .should ,uv.ut a lalsHiood. aud speak \c, you of • u a
grove u. whu.h you n....t this illnst,.i;,„s i„.i,^.„ss. I s^
sp ikot ,.e,.ta.n kueeUu^ at„,udos, of e./taiu haud-kiJ, !'
au ou w,.o a,e a sennet, v.- n,au. hasty aud puuKilions _ " '
U<dl no I swca,., sa.d I .o (iniehe, i„te,ru,,ti„.^ hin, with
that 1 .slu.uhl „ot hko that, uor sl,ouId I ..u,.tradi(.t v.n, But
so 1 au. n,ade, n,y dear eo.ute. For thin,^s t],at afi^. .t ,ue T
am hke H.e Hut it is a ditfereut t],iu. ;],ou it is u.^stu,,
o a„ absent l,aeud. a friend, who, on Lavin,. eouli 'l
rr^UollS''^"-'^^^''"^- ^-^=^^-'>y--M)eWarci:^
"I understand you, M. de Guiehe ; but vo,i have spoken
needlessly. Betwee.i us the.-e ,.an be no .jurstion. eit e o
Bra,o.e„,,„o or of that unimportant girl eallell T.a X-alH.' ■ > '
. ...St tlien some of the youn.^^er courtiers ,.,.oss,.d the room
and having heard the words whi(.h had iust been s> ok n we .«
about to hear tl,ose whieh we.'e to follow '
«',"/, ^^«/;''^''''';^,r'''' ^'''' =""' *-""fi"-,ed aloud :
Uii, It La \alliere were a coquette like Madame, -.vhose
|"-'n,.,.ut llirlatinns I am sur.. tirst ,.,tus.,l ^f. .1. iiurkin-^iam
n ..• s..nt l.ak ... 1 ,..hu..:. un,i atNTUanls v,u, ,o b.- exii;
iovym .sunMunl, to her ..„.,u..try, .lo y..„ not, M.ons.eur - •' "
.JlH'....tl..nH.nan.wnoa,San,t-Ai,nanatthei.lK.a.l, ^
'•I'.ut, ,ny .loar f,.l!o<' said Do (Jui.],,., la.i-hincr "I an.
a . .,t^ ni. ex,],. |.,u I ,,.,,,. „ ^ J ov,.na.n,. ,nv vaintv
. .1 1 ol,tauu.,l n>v nvall hy n.ak.n,' honorable amend ami
bv l.rom,s,n,,Mnyself to ....nquer tbis fanlt ; and as vou V 1
> Ka t l.iit Ka-mlisJoved: he does not ]auj,d, at rumors
nhch d.sturl, Ins peace of n.ind, n.n.or.s whirh vo„ ave
mdertaken to .nterpret, uhen you knew, eount. as uJd as my-
self, - tlHso .Lrentlemen. the whole world, _ that tliese re,, u
were m.thm- hut oalumny." iq-oits
"Calumny!" eried De AVardes, furious at seein-^ himself
oau.Lcht m iho trap by De (Juirhe-s ,.oo]n(.ss
" U hy, yes, calumny. H.-re is his letter, in which he says
hat you spoke ill of Madenuasede de la Valliere. and in which
he asks 1 what yon said about the voun<.^ .^ul is e S a 1 T
call on tuese .entlen.en to ,le..ide,'j)e W>i;.des :' ' AM^H
orfcc^ ,nd, terence De Guiehe read aloud the paragraph
the letter referring to La A'alli.'.re. ''-ifeiapn oi
" Now,'' continued De (Juiche, " it is verv Pvi,lf.n«- tJ „<■ ,
"■-■'f '" " '■.'-,'"° l'-"« »'■ ■■■""' of "- < l" aSnC
and that your intentions were malicious.- ot^^onne,
De A\;,rdes looked around to see if lie cmld find sunnort
from any one, but at the thought that he ha<l insul ed eX
d.m.„y .a-indireetU- ,!,e one who was the idcHf ^ hou
^t u- l^t u /i ■"' '"'' '' '''^^'-''"^ ^■'^^- ""'>■ '"^^ '-'I'iv
lo s,i} He \\;is in tlie wroii'f.
"(ientlemen,-sai,l De (Tuiche. instinclivelv divining the .^en
era s.mtn,ient^, .my discussion with M. de \Vardes"' A!^ to a
sub,)e.-t of so delicate a nature .hat it is important that n . n
should hear more than you hnve ahr.uh- he^rd H,ve t
doors watched I beg yo,^ and let us finish «;-'Vo":;t;;:
^ir;;;;::;,;:'^ !;r '- -- ^-^>^'''-. one Of wC^^
-• (ientlemen ! gentleinen ! " exclaimed those who were present
la A-iJu ;:'"'"' ?u' ."'^ -rong; .defend Mademoil]^;^
\ aJhtie . ,aid De Cuidre. « If so, 1 pass judgment upon
Ih
"f
B
H
'
IP
I
<m
hi
Minr
i
4f;2
77//; VKdMTi: i)i: /iJri'./:/.,>\\,:.
Mi.Nsrlf. an.l am n-a-ly to u,.l„l,,nv- th," oir,.,is>v,. w„r,l.s I ,„.-iv
iKivt' used to .M. (1,. Wanlfs.- ^
':'n''' '••■-..•.'■••sai.l Sa,„t..\i^nan ;'•,.,.,., ainlv n.,t. M;„lo-
iiioisi'll,. ,1.' la \alli.T.' is ail aii-el."
"Virtu." an. 1 -.unty |H-,>on,li,"|." said .Ma.iiranin
'• \on s..,., M, ,1.. Wanl.'s.- .sanl IV (iu.rl,,.. •• la,., not tl.P
only on.' u in. ,s un.l.M'fakin- tl... .I..!,,,... of tl.at ., ■ .ri,l .
.'Mtivat y.,„. !,'.'nt].-n...n. a s....on,l tin,.' to leav us. Vo,,\ee
tliat It IS inipossii.lc to 1..' calni.T tlian we aiv '•
Tl..' .•.MUti.Ts ask.Ml nnthinj,' l„"tt...- that, t,, witlniraw. S.,nie
wen. iV.'"'" '""'""'""' '''' '''""^'"''■' ""''' "'*■ *^^<' }<•""!,' <"eri
••WVll |.lay.'.i;- said I), WanL-s to the onmt
" \\as It not ■.'•' loj.li..,! ij ,. !;,ti,.i-
•• Wi.at .-an you ..x|,..,.t .' 1 h.ve l„.,,„„, ,,„„, ;„ ^,„. ,.,„,„,
tv my .l..ar f..llow. wl„I.. y„„ l.^ve Kain.-.i so much self-.-.m-
ol that y,.u a.lonish m... ...unt. ( »n,. aluavs a..,uiies some-
.!'F I'.'jil ■'•'" ""■'"'•■ "'^' ""'"•""• '" =^•■'•''1'' >"v .■on,^M■atulations."
" And I shall return them to Ma.lame "'
" l>o not defy me.''
" I .lo defy y.,n. Von are known as a mali.-ioiis man If
yon .lo that yon will l..^ looke.l np-.n as a .■..wanl, an.l Monsienr
.>l.eak, my .(car De \\ anl.-s, speak.''
" I have f.in,Lrht li.'foic n.»w."'
" ^'es, hut n.)t enoui,'!!.''
"I see that yo.j w..nl.l not l>e sorry t.. fi^jit ^^th me while
my woun.Is are still open."'
"No, I should l.e all the more pleased"
''The .l.Mue: ^-on hav eln.sen a ha.l tin.e, mv .l.-ar eonnt;
a duel att.M- the one I have just fon-ht would not suit n.r. I
lost t.... mu.di I.I00.I at l!.mlo-ne: at the least eff.ut my wouo.ls
would reopen an.l y.)u wonl.l have t.io easy a jol. "
" True '• sai.l De (iniehe, '• an.l yet on yoiu- arrival here vour
Kioks and your arms ma.le a <,roo.I ajipearan.'e "
" Ws, my amis are all ,■i.^dlt. hut my le^^s ai'e weak, an.l then
1 have not hel.l a f..il sm.e that .levilish .liiel, while v..u, I "ll
wa,s,'er, hav.. I„-.mi lemunu' every -lay in or.ler succWsfuIlv to
carry out your littie eoiispiraey against me."
now />,■: n-M{i,i:s icix ri:,eivki, at rorin: 4.i3
"T:|,.m n,,v Ihom.p. ..„ms,eur,- ,v,, | |)., ,;„i,|„>. .-it j, i,.,],-
;i y.Mi- siiicr I i.iiKlisrd.'
•• No. yu„s...., •,„„.!. upun .vtl..,-ti,,n I will „Mt ;i-I,t,,.it [...^st
- 'y-'- l-'ll ua,t tu, |!r.,..lnn„... MU,-.. vnu;.; , ,
IS i5r,i.^'el(.iin.' Ihiit IS iiii-rv with i,„. •• ' " '"■"'^'
•••No. i.Hln.,l.",.n,.,l l»..(;,.irl„.. 1„.s,.|m lumsHf. ■• v,m, sl,al!
not w;ut l,.r l!r.,,..|n,n,e. Un- .s yu„ l.av.. saui |{ra,..i;„n,.. nu v
-e ,lHa.v.-,l n, ...tun,■„,^^ a.,,! i„ tla- .nranti.ne y,„„. ,Muiinu,>;.
iicss will have iloiic Its wmk." ""luiis
•• Vft I sliall liavf ail t'xciis,>, '|'ak,. ca,,. : "
" I will give you a wcrk to ivrovcr (diniilotplv "
'• rliiit IS l)i-tt(T. In a w.'.k wo shall sec" '
''\es I UM-hTstaiMl i„ a w,.,.k y.,u ran escape vour adver-
sar\ . .No, not a ihiy. '
•• Vou are mad, luonsieur.- said J)e Wardes, ivtn'atin- a ston
•• •^^'.'^;j y;'!; ;"■.. a coward ir yo,. ,1,. not tight wilHnyly":'- ' '
"I will dcnonn.c yon to the Kin.=,' as havi.i^r refused to fi.d.t
ter haviii- insulted La Valliere " "
•mis ' Su" ;i''''^''!"".' '^« ^^''^"'''^- " y"" '^''e .lanj;erouslv treach-
oils, .>ir ilone.stv-
"Nothin- is more dan-erous than the treachery of tl
who IS always loyal."
" Give me back my ]cj,'s then, or have yourself bled until y
are white and .so equalize our chances."'' ^
" Xo, I have a better idea than that "'
" Wliat is it '.' "
P.r^''v'"^ '""""^c"'"" ^""'''' •■'"•^ "■'" «'■•' three pistol hots
e.ich. \ou are a iirst-rate marksman, I have .seen you .,rinc!
deny it'lo "r'-l "'"' ""^'^' ^^^'^ ""^ ''^^ ^•'" ^-""I' ^^' ""t
ueny it, tor I Jmve seen vou.
sibiet'l^rr^'TT'''^''-'" ^'"''^ I>e Wardes, "and it is pus-
sioie tliat 1 may kill you.
!! ';e>;'l'y you" woul<l be doing me a great service."
" 1 shall do my best. '
"Is it agreed '.' "'
" Your hand."
" Merc It is. on one condition, however "
"What is that ■.' "'
" That you will swear to say notllingor have uothin" said of
the matter to the King.-' "-"^iuuo ^aiu or
••Xolhing, 1 swear."'
af
er
le man
ou
I
fiEnrrrr'
m\
8
(1|
Htm
III
1
464
Tffr yf,-(>\frr: nr: nuAar.i.nxsE.
" I shall ._'.. for my liurso."
" Air! I Inr hillH'.""
'• Whfi.. will w,. tirjit •■ ••
" III til.' plain I kiiMU- an I'xrcili.nf j.lai'o.''
" Shall uc Ljo fii;,'rtliff '.' '■
'• Whv iKit '.'"
An.l lH„h s,.t nut f„ tl,.. stal,;... passu,,- ,., .l,,.,,- wav
.Mii.lani.-s winhnvs, whi.l, uviv r.nntiv lr,'hl..,l. \ .ln,|,,\v
passr.l hrhnnl ll„. !;„•.. (lilt, ,11,-.
•' Tl,..,.. , a u,„„;u,.- sai.l D.. Wanh-s, s„„lin,'. •■ u l.n has
Qo ulfii that we art' alh.iit to .Ji.' fur ht-i."
(llAl'IKi; MX.
Ill-; III i:i,.
e
nil
Do \Va.;,l..s ha.l ,„. pistols: I).. (;i,i..h.. ha.l tuo pai.'s He
W »., IS apa,.tn...,.ts t„ l.,a,l ,1,.,:,, ,,.,,,,,„ „,.l .,„ • J «
I)e\ ai.h.s. who s..l..,.t,.,] tl„>... ,.t wh-.h I,., ha.l „,u,l.. „s
U.r,.y ,n...s,th..sa,ii,.with u hi..]. I). (;ui..he ],a,l s.-.m, hi,
kill swall.iws (I,, tht' w,,iij.
vZJlu' 'v' "7 '" ''"■'"~*^'"1-"' ^^'"1 J'"- •• il- f take .very p,-,.-
ta„t,on ;i„u know you,- own uvapons. ,.o,.s,.,pie,.tlv I am
only inakii,.,' tl,.' ..haiic.s ...pial." '
"That remark was ns.-l.'s.s." n.pl„>,| D.. (i„;,|,„ .. y,
doi,,^; „o more tha„ what y..,, a,-,- ,.ntiti..,l to ,lo
'• -Now. sa,.l l)e Wanh-s, •• I 1,.. vou to 1,.. .^.oo.l ,.„o„.^h to
help ■„,. ,n.„„.t, f.„- still tin.l s.m,.. ,litH...,I,v „:.loi„,. so"
••1.1 that ..ase we ha.i better s..ttle the „iatteron to.^t "'
No, oiiee m the sa.hlle I am all ri.'lit "
"Very w.-ll, we will speak le. mon""al,oi,t it '"
And I)e (;,„.■],.■ helpe,! 1 )e Wanles mount
".Now," .ontinue.l De Wanh-s, '-in o,,,- ea..e,„ess to kill
eaeh other we liave forgotten one thing." ''^-''""•' ^" '^'"
THE Dri:i..
46.-)
"S..I.C it, hut tlin ivsiilt u-ill !„■ tl..' s;iii,.""
,..;■',;:", 7' ";."f "'";k ..f sn.nHlnn:: lurth..,-, tl.ut Lom-st
I '•"|>lf .1.1 I1..I tl;,'l,t with., lit \Vltll.'>.s,'s •'
• •\«T\tlmi- >li.,ill.l l,r Wfll ,l,,nr."
'• V.-s. hat 1 ,i„ n„l ui.h It s;u,lt|,;,t vui l,;iv.. .■tssassin,it.-,l
:::::.Ti.;n;;:;;-''^'''''''"'^^-'^^''''''--^
•• Was anvtl,,,,^ siMiilur s,,i,l ni iv^ani t,. VM.r .h..-i uith M
;■■ l.n.k.n.J.an,,' .sh,.| |.,.(;u„h., ..ul.i.h took i.lace under
111*' saiiu! coiuhtDiis as onis •.'■' '
-VVry tnu", iH.t.il was .layli;.^ht, an.l w uno up to ...r
--• n.wa..nU..ul..s,,h...ouasahu,,. Mund,.ro^
nil s i,ii t ||i> sli.irc. '
I... .Murlu- ,.,.,.,I..,v.l f„,. au iustant. hut the thought which
. al,..,U ..„,,,,..,1 usMUM,l was ouiy .•.-.lin.H-,!, uatueiy,
I . J> Uani.s u-.sh..,l wuiM.sM.s h.lnre wh..u. h. .ouhl hn,?.:
1-k^tl.., ..u,:v,.,.sat,ou to Madauus uml so give a new turn ;u
He sai.l uothiug iu reply, therefore, an.l as J)e Wardes
uoke.l at hnu .p.es„o,uugly tor , he last tin.e he at.swered wi'l
;;.;-' -i.u.h tneant that .t was hest to let thin,, renuu:. as they
Mo.t 1 '';'■'. ^^■''' '^""^^' ^^« ^Jie one near whi.-li we saw
Alontalais and .Malicoim-.
The ni.^l.t, as though to oliset the heat of the dav. had -^ath-
' . =U1 the ..I..uds .t ,.<.uld and was pushing thetn silentlv T m
v.-t to east Ihe vault ahove, without a clear spot vis.hle
hu g w, h al Us we.gh, over the earth, hut was sol.n rei:; ^
Iu tituits (,t .he wind, as a huge sail is torn into rihhons
L.uge ,varu. drops of water hegau to fall upon the m mm'
where they gathere.1 the dust into rolling g l.hule t e
sjtn.e nuethe he.lges. whi..h felt the ap.rroaeh of the orm
an a.otna te o.iors which brought to mind tender thou-Mits
men ones o youth eternal life, happiness, uiid love. ^ '
li.e earth smells very goo.l,"' said De Wardes. '-It is a
p.eceot co.pu.try on her part to ,iraw us to her "
to me'uHri'wn."^ 7^'^'t l^eGuiche,.^ several ideas have come
to me and 1 want to submit them to you "'
" About '.' ■' "^ ■
VuL. II. — 30
nil
E^'v
'^P
CHUT .
<
Mtiir
466
r///i' v/roMTi: i)i: />/m.,7;/.,/.v.v/;.
" About our duel.''
" Vos, it is time, it seems to me, that we should he^nu to
speak about it."' "
" Is it to bo au onliuary duel, cdudueted aeeonlin- to nm-e-
deut '.' ■'
"Lei us hear what ynur lu'ccedeut is."
"We disincaint lu au ojicii place, iasti'u mir horses to the
uearest objeet, meet without our weajjous, tlieu step back a
hundred aud tifty paces bclnre advaueiu;^ upon each other."
"(Jood ! Tliat is the way in which l' killed pcxu- Fulliveut
three weeks iv^o at Saint-Denis."
" l'ard(jn me, but you forget one detail.''
" What is that '.' ''
"That iu your duel with Fnlli vent you advanced upfui each
other on loot, your swords becweeu your teeth, y..ur pistols in
your hands.''
"True. While this time, on tlie e<,utrary, as T eaumit walk.
— ycui admit this yourself, — we are to mount and char-e, and
he who wi>hes to fire Hrst will do so." "
"That is tlie best course, no doubt, but it is dark aud wo
must make more allowance for i)oor nmrksmanshir. than we
should have to do in the daytime.''
" \ ery well. Each one will tire three shots — two from the
already loaded pistols, while for the last wo shall have to load
again.''
" Excellent. Where shall the duel take place '! "
" Have you any preference '.' "
«<Xo."
" You see that little wood which lies before us ? "
" The Kochaiu woods '! ''
" Yes."
" You know it ? "
" Perfectly."
" You kn(nv, then, tlsat there is an open space iu the
centre ? ''
" Let us go there."
" Yery well."
"It is a kind of meadow, encdosed bv nature, and it has all
sorts of roads, by-paths, walks, ditches, wiudinu's. and avenues •
It will be just the thing.''
'• I shall be satisfied if you are. We have reached it, i
think '.' "
■''.^-^\
Tin: Di'EL.
467
n.'^^t^whi'htllU'" '':7"'''"' ''"''" "' ^'"' '''''''■ TI.e faint
'■ ^ orv i,'oo(l. J),) us yoii said.'"
•• Let us s.'ttlo the conditions, then '"
.henl'n!nv:--" '"''"' '' ^""' ^''''' "'^' '^'••J^'^*^""^ '^ '^^^^-' «tate
•' I am listening,'.''
;• In euse the J.orse is killed his rider ^vill %ht on foot."
I hut IS nidisputub P. s.nee we huve no extra h<,rses."
I.ut It does not obli.^e the ;.dversary to dismount "
^^ Hh; uaversary will he free to act us seen.s best to hi.n."
IJu .1 elh.ts havni- once met cannot withdraw UL-ain and
conse.iiiently inust lire ut short ran-e." ° '
'• .\i,'reed.'' '"^
•' 'I'hree (•liar;,'es, no more " "
your'usLl.!-' """"' ' """''■ ''''" '''-' 1"^^-'^" ^"'1 ^^"« f-
■' -Measure out throe c'l^-u-os. Tuke three balls ; I shall do
itdiX" ''"""'^ "'' "'^•^^^' ^-^^' .•enuunin/';:^.;^;
"And we will swear by the Christ," a.lded De Wardes
"tlar, w,. l.ave no more powder or balls about u. "^ " '
liiut IS a,i,'reed, and I swear it."
iJe (r.dche raised his hand towards heaven
i>e U ardes did the same.
'' And now niy dear count,'- said he, -let me tell you that
l-^^n .lece.ved as tonotlnn,. V,.u are or vou ^^ilI beMadame's
«noile -Hb '^'f "V '"'r'^ ■"'''' ^"'^ -'^ afrauU ri
sZ.e.-' '^'' ''"'^ "^ ^'""^ I^^*'"-« ^ should do the
De Guiche bent his head
wlnl^"!Sl'm'''^"';r^ "' ^Vardes triu.nphantly, " was it worth
of '; e i; -s •; rl "" '"•^' ^''T''*"'« ^''^^^ ^^'-^'^"hed affair
^vil i ■ ''■"■ '•'"'''' '">■ ''•-''"■ *'el'"«'. in brinL'in.' the
1.1 hour to buy you enrage bin.; iu running .l-wn e fox
on n.spne hun with the courage of the jaguar. The result is
that,^l,ushe.l to the wall by you, 1 shall ''ddcnd mysdf to the
" That is your right."
M
408
riiF. vifoMii: />/: nn u/f./.oxxf:.
mi
Ml*.,;, i
I
%
«3«1
'• V<».s, hut take ciiro, I sliall do iiiiii-Ii liariii. In orilor to
l)0,i;in, yiMi e-aii casilv believe, can vnu not, tliat I have not
l)een foolish eiion,!,'li t' loek up my secret, or ratiier your secret.,
in my lieiirt '.' 'riieic .^ ;i liieud of mine, a reliable frieml. —
you know him, — w Im .--hares my secret ; so iinderstiind that if
yon kill me, my death will not have heijieil you much; ^vllile,
on the contrary, if I kill you — well, everything is possible,
yon know "'
I)e (Jniclio sliudih'i'od.
"If I kill you," continued l)e Wardes. "you will have se-
cured for Madame two enemies, wlio will work their utmost to
ruin her."
"Oh, monsieur,"' cried I)e (iuicdie. wild with rai^e, "do not
count so surely on my death. Of the two enenues. I liope to
kill one immediatidy, and the (.titer at my first opportuiJo-\ ."'
De Warih's rejilied only by a burst of laULjhter so diabolieal
th"- it would have terrified a superstitious man.
lint I)e truiclie was not so impressionable.
"I think," said he. '-that everythin.u' is settled. ^^. de
Wanh^s. so take your phice, I l)e,<,' you. unless you ])refer that
I sliould ih) so.''
" Xo," said De Wardes. " I shall be ddiichted to spare you
any trouble."
And spurring' liis horse to a fjrallop, lie crossed the open
s])ace and t()(jk his stand at a point exactly opposite De (ini(die.
The latter remained motionless. At this distance of about a
hundred paces the two o]ipouents were absolutely i'.ivisible to
each other, lost, as they were, in the thick shadow of the elms
and the chestnuts.
A minute elapsecl in the profoundest silence. At the end
of the minute, eacdi man from the shade in which he was
hidden heard the double click of the tri-jtrer.
De Guiche, following,' the usual tactics, jmt his horse to the
gallop, convinced that he would rendei' his safety doubly sure
by the movement and speed of the animal. He directed his
course straipfht to the ])oiut where he thou,Lrht his enemy was
standin.c,'. He experted to meev De \^'aIdes half wav. Imt he
was mistaken. Hi' continued his couise. su]iposin,t,f that De
Wardes was waitiu',' for him motionless; but when he had
■,'one about twii-thinls of the distance he saw the road suddenly
illumined and a iiall whistled liy, cutting in two the plume of
his hat.
THE DC EL.
409
II.. se tu-o Hlmts, H,m.n^r f,,„.i ex.u-tlv the opposite tlire..tiun
is..n,e,, tl.n l,...se n„ule a ,„„ve„„.„t tlial; ,,.,.„„ilp,l ]" (/„ 1^
Tl,i. Moment he ki.eiv ti.at his l,„r»e was fallin.. ho Ind
i: ;;:;ir;'■;^;;t■l,J;^^^hrs:r"-••"-«-
u' ,.,k 1,' rr "'■'■ •'"' ""■'' •''''"'■'■ I^e (iiiKhe-s head De
»a.,- ;i;'"s:;'L't';,', h's:;:;?,';,:"" ""^ ^"•"'' "-"• '""■" •"
.et.;;£'l.^^-;-rt!.t'.-a^r:?rLih:e:
Do (Jiiiehe understood his position. It was a ouestion nf
i^t \\.u,ks sau hna ronung hke a temuest. The ball was
'ft
M
470
THE VlCiUfTE i)i: I'.racki.oxm:.
L -Si,- '>.■'.
'CT
■«*t^l
I
iti
tight ai i resist(Nl tlio rainrud. Td l^ad carplossly wmild he to
run tlie risk of losing Jiis last shot. To load carofully would
l)e to lose time, or rather lile. He nunle his horse bound to
one side.
De Giiiche also turned, and as the horse, which liad reared,
caine down, fired, earrving away De Wardes' hat.
l)e Wardes knew that he liad a moment to spare. ]Ie took
advantage of it to finish loading Ids pistol.
De (iuiehe, seeing that his adversary jiail not fallen, threw
aside tlie tir.st jiistol, now ns(dess. and w;dked towards De
^Val■des. raising the seeond. l>ut at hi.s third stej) De Wardes
took aim and tired. An exelamation of anger followed. The
count's arm droppetl, the pistol fell to the ground.
De Wardes saw the count stoo|), pick up the i)istol with his
left hand, and start forward. It was an awful niMuient.
"I am lost," murmured De Wardes, " he is not mortally
•woiuided."
]'ut as De Guiche raised Ins ])i.stol, the head, shoulders, and
limbs of the count gave way. He lieav-i . mournful sigh, and
fell at the feet of De Wardes" liorse.
"Away, now,"' murmiued the latter •.m rathering up his
reins he set spurs to his horse.
The animal cleared the now niotit)nless body, and biu-e De
AVardes rapidly back to the chareau. Once there. De Wardes
remained a quarter of an hour deliberating. In his impa-
tience to leave tlie field of battle he had neglected to make
sure that De (Juiche was dead.
A double hypothesis presented itself to his agitated mind.
Either De Guiche was killed, or was merely wounded.
In the former ease, why leave Ids body to tlie wolves ';' That
were useless cruelty, since if De (iuiciie were dead he certainly
could not sjieak. If lie were not dead, wiiy, by not bringing
him aid, should De Wardes aet as a savage incajxible of gen-
erosity ?
The latter consideration determined \an\.
He asked where Manieamp was, and learned that ]\Ianicamp
had been looking for De Guiche, but not knowing where to find
him had gone to bed.
De Wardes went to the sleejier, wakened him, and tohl him
the story, to which Manicamp listened without eommcnt, but
with an expression of growing energy of which no one would
have believed him capable.
MP to
.•imld
1(1 to
'.'ireil
took
linnv
s I)e
le
Tl
Ills
and
and
^ De
irdos
iiipa-
iiake
inu
That
liiily
gen-
tind
ni
hi
, but
ouhl
DE GUICHE ALSO TURNED AND FIRED.
i > '. I'M :
'ft
-I-.}
\ •'
Mm
'•ai
I
hi
mm
ill
THE DUEL.
471
M;
anicainp uttered the
But wlien De Wardos Imd finislied,
single word —
" < 'oine ! "
On the way Manieainp became more and more exeited, and
as De ^\ardes gave him tlie details, he grew mure and more
gloomy.
"An<l .so-' said he, when De Wardes had finished, "you
think him dead ".' " "^
" Alas ! yes.'
" And you fought like that without witnesses V"
" He insisted on it."
'• It is -itraiige."
" Why is it strange ? "'
"That is so little in accordance with M. de Guiche'.s
nature ! '"
" You do not doubt my word, I suppose '■"'
"Hum!" ' ^
" You do (h)ubt it?"
" A little; but 1 shall doubt it more than ever, I warn vou
it I hud the poor fellow dead." '
" M. ^ranicanij) ! ''
" M. .le Waides I "'
" It seems that you are insulting me ! "
'• That is as you please. I never .lid 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 an honorable manner.' It
looks very black, M. de Wardes."
" Be still, we have arrived."
In fact, the clearing was beginning to be visible, and in the
open space lay tlie body of the dead horse. To the ri-ht of
he horse, upon the dark grass, with his face to the ground, lay
the poor count, bathed in blood. He wa.. still in the same
place, and did not seem to have stirrr;'
Manicamp fell on his knees, raised the count, and found him
n,|Id and co^-ered with bloo.l. He let him fall back again.
I Ih;.., feeling aroun.l him, he looked until he found n-^
• iiiiclie's pistol. ■ "
ha u Morhhu ! \ ou were not mistaken, he is certainly dead.'*
" Dead ! " repeated De Wardes. J' •* i-
the'diamber^ ^"' '"''"^ '' loaded," said Manicamp, looking into
:,; ,1 :>
liM!
:-« I
1 .
rw^. . yv- ; -.
I
Mtur
Hi
i
472
ruK vwoMTK 1)1-: iii;Ai;i:u)xxE.
" l!ut (lid I nut tfll _v(ni tli;it I covt'ied liim as lie was
Wiilkiiii,', 1111(1 that I fircl just as lie was takiiiL; aim at
lilt' '.' ■'
_" Are you porlVctly .sure tliat you foiiyiit witii jiim, M. ,]«
^\;u■(l.'s•.' I iidiiiit that 1 am afraid you"" munl.Mvd liiiii. ( Mi,
doiidt exclaim. Vou took Vdur thifp shots, and liis pistol is
loaded. Von killed his horse, and i)e (iuidie, one of the best
niaiksmen, toiu-hed neither you uor your horse. M. de \Vardes
it is iiulueky tor you that you l)ioui,dit me liere. All thi.s
blood goes to my head. I am drunk, and upon inv word 1
believe since so good an o]iportuiiity i)reseiils itself that I will
blow out your brains. Commit vour s(Hd to (Jod. M de
Wardes."'
" M. Manieainp, you eanuot think of such a thing! "
"Un the contrary, 1 a.n thinking very stnjiiglv of it."
'• You would assassinate me '.' "
" Without the slightest remorse, at jeast lor the time
being."
" Are you a gentleman '.' "
'• I have been a page. That proves it."
" Let me defend myself, then."
" Good : In order that you may do to me wiiat you have
done to poor ])e tJuiohe."
And, raising his idstol, :\Ianicami) held it with arm out-
stretched, and frowning brow, jiointed at De Wardes' breast.
The latter did not even attemi.t to run ; he wa ■ i)etntied."
In the terrible silence, which lasted but an instant, but which
seemed to De Wardes a century, a sigh was heard.
" Oh !" cried De Wardes, "he lives! lie lives! Help! M.
de Guiche ! They are murdering me.'"
Manicamp stepped back and between the two young men
the count could be seen raising liiuiself painfully o^ii one
hand.
Manicamp threw the pistol ten feet away, and ran t his
friend, uttering a cry of joy.
De "Wardes wiped his forehead, which was covered with a
cold perspiration.
" Just in time ! "' he murmured.
"What is the matter?" asked Jlanicamp of De (Juiche;
« and how are you wouaded ? "
De Guiche showed his mutilated hand and his chest, which
was covered with blood.
Tin: KiXi;'s sippER.
478
••r„uMt." cried Do Wanlrs. ■• I am ac.Misf.,1 „f havin- assus-
Mnatf.l you. Sp.-ak, I in.plnrc yen. and sav that I'lou-l.t
liuiiorahly.
-That, is tiiii',"' said the wniindrd man. " .M. de Wardes
t..u-ht, h(,iinnil,ly, and whoever says otiierwise will make an
enemy ot me."
•• Well, iMonsicur," said Manieanip, '^ in tlie first place help
mo to move this i.oor tVllow. Alterwards I shall give you all
possible satisfaction. Or it you are in too much of a hu'rrv we
•an do better. Let us stamd. the counfs w(,uiids with' our
ii.nidkerchiets, and then as there an. two ball.s left we can use
them.
'• Thank yon,-' said De Wardes. "Twice in one hour I have
seen Death close at liand. He is too u-lydookin- an<l I i)refer
your apolotjfies.'" '
-Manicamp began to laugh and De <iuiche joined in spite of
his siitfenng.
The two young men wanted to carry him, but he declared
t.iat he was strong enough to walk alone. The ball had broken
Ins ring hngcr and his little tinger, then had glan.'cd along his
sid.>. but without penetrating his chest. It was the pain rather
than the serious nature of his wounds which had overcome
him.
Manicrunp passed his arm under one of the count's .shoulders,
De Wardes put his under the other, and in this way they car-
netl him back to Fontainebleau, to the doctor who had been
present at the death of the Franciscan, the predecessor of
Aramis. ■^
11
CHAPTER LX.
THE JI.V(i's SUITER.
Meanwhile the King wa.s sitting at table and the few
ffuests of the day hac taken their j.laces after the usual
gesture intiniiiting that they might sit.
Although etiquette at this j/eri.,,! was not such as it was
la er, the^i-rench court had entirely broken awav from the tra-
ditions 01 good fellowship and patriarchal affability which
iiSi*-?"" iT'^Vv
8
hi
Mtfir
ni
474
'/■///•; VK'OMTE hi: nn \(;i:r.(K\\'i:.
ox>st..a ,„ 1... tnn. „r n,,ni IV. Tlu. ,s„.s,.i,.i,H,s „„,„1 of
Louis XIII. ha.l by .l.^-nvs n.,,la..,,l ,l,„,u hv ,i sniiLkn...
ot p„Mip ari,! -ramhMu- wliicli 1,.- l.,mi,l it" imnossibl,- to
attain.
Tlii' Kiii^r u-as seated at a small, separate tal.le, wlii.h, like
the dr.k of a i)resi,leiit, overlooked tlie adjoiniiiir tables V
small tabl.'. w.- have said, but we must hasten 'to add that
althou-h small, it was lai-er than all the otliers. Mcreover
It was the cue .m whi.di were ],laced the greatest number and'
van..ty ot dishes, tish, game, m.-ats, Cruils, vegetables, and
preserves.
The Kiiii,' was yoiin.^' and vii^orous. Umu\ of iiuntin-'. ai.d
Siven to all violent exenise, and. m.,rr„ver. he posse.ssed tliat
iKiturally hot blood, c.mmon to all the liourlmns, whirh
conduces t,) ri.pid digestion ;.,id rei ewed appetite. Louis
Al\. was a lormidabl.. eat.r. He loved to criticise his
cooks; but wlien lie paid them a eompliment the honor was
great.
The King began a meal l)y eating several kinds of soup,
either mixed together in a sort of mac.Mloine, or separatelv
He intermixed, or rather separate.l, the.se soups by a glass of
oid^wine. Ho ate (piickly and somewhat greedily."
Porthos, wlui from the l)eginning had through' respe^ been
waiting for a nudge from irArtagnan, .seeing the King a> .om-
pnsh so much, turned to the musketeer and said in a low
tone :
_ "It seems that one miglit go on. His Majesty is enc(;ura.'-
ing. Look : " J a
" The King eats," said D'Artagnan, " but he talks at the
same time. Try to arrange matters so that if bv chance he
should address a remark to you he would not find you with
your mouth full, which would be disresijectful."
♦' In that case the best way," said I'ortlios, <• is to eat no
supper at all. And yet I am hungry, 1 admit, and evervthin.'
IS so good that It appeals both to my sense of smell and mv
sense of taste." "^
'^Do not think of not eating," .said ITArtagnan ; "that
would vex his .Majesty. The King has a wav of saving that
he who eats well works well, and he does nJt like people to
iiave smah apjietites at his t.able."
•• How cau i help having my mouth full if I eat?" said
Forthos.
THE K/.\<;\s si'i>pi:i{.
476
of
" Why," replied thf'caiitain oftlie inusketeei-.s, •' sitiiplv awal-
Idvv wh.it v<Mi li:i\e ill ii, when the King Iiuiiuis ^oii by ad-
(iressiii^r a word to yon.''
" ^'''y K<J*>d.'"
And irom that luuiueiil l',,ithns bei,'aii to eat with well-bred
eiitliiisiasni.
'I'he Kin- oeeasionally looked at the ^Miosts, and. th(.rout,'h
stiuleiit ol eiiaiacter as he was, eoidd appreeiate the disposi-
lion of each.
'• .M. (in \'allon I " saiij he.
i'oithos was in tliH act of eating' a liare raf,'oiit and he .swal-
loweil half. of tiiu back. His name ntteied in .such a manner
made jiini start, and by a vigorous effort of luis gullet ho swal-
lowed the whole inoiilhfid.
"Sue," said I'orthos, in a choked voice, but .sulKciently iu-
telligible, nevertheless.
" Let tliose lamb lillets be passed to "SI. du Vallon,"' said the
King. " Do you like brown meats, M. dn Vallun '.'"
"Sire, 1 like e-erything," replied Porthos.
JVArtagnau whispered to him: *• Everything your Majesty
seads me."
Portlius repeated: "Everything your Majesty sends
lue."
The King gave a nod of satisfaction.
" I'eople eat well who work well," went on the King, de-
lighted to liave with him one who had i'orthos' capacity for
eating.
I'orthos received the dish of lamb and put some of it on his
plate.
"Weir."' said the King.
" Exiiuisite!" said I'orthos, calmly.
" ilave you as good mutton in your province, M. du Val-
lon ? " continued the King.
" Sire/' said Portlios, " I think that in my province, as
everywhere else, the best is Hrst for the King; but I do not
eat mutton in the same way as does your Majesty."
'• Ah I and how do you eat it '.' "'
" Usually I have a lamb dressed whole."
" Whole ? •'
" Yes, Sire."
" In what way ? "
" In thid way : my cook is a German, Sire, and stuffs the
476
i
i
<
nil
Miff
Tiir: virnMTE !,/■: nn\(;i:u).\\E.
ami. w,t, sm.l shus;,..s. w1,„1, 1,.. .,.,s fn,„, Strasl,,.,-;
lnnv.,M.,it Lulls |n„M l...y..s.an,l lurks t,n,„ |'„luviers lu'
s...m- .....IMS .,1 wlu.h Ian. i,^.n,:,„t 1„. 1 ■„ ,|„. i,,,.,!. as i,'..
vni.M u lowl, l,.;tv,n^' ..„ Ih.. sku,. Lmu-.-v..,-, uh,,!. r,„,.,s l
bnuv,. .T.ist „ver tl,.- aiULial. Wl.,.,, ,t is rut u. l...,nUil„l
sh.vs. hk.. an en.M-,nu„s sans...... ,-, rns.M..,lo.-..,l .,,...,vv .■n.M.-s
fu..,wiu..h.S ,0,|,|,|.MM.., ,,, ,1... .,v,. a,.,l .l.-lKHH.; ,., ,h.
il^a- Am l.M,l,.,ssn,ark..,l l.,s 1,,,.. Tim Km,. .,^,..,u.i
hs..v..su..i(.l,,-h, a...l. wlui,. attark..,. the i,|mas:u.t whmh
was hamled lui... sanl :
••That is a dish 1 slmuhl like f.. taste, M. du Va,.<.n. \Vh;.t '
the wliole lam!) '.' '
"The wliolc, Siie."
"Pass timse pheasants to M. .h, Val.„„; \ se.- that he is a
tlie suljject ot the lamb ; '^
" Ami it is not too fat?"
" Xo. Sire; the fat falls auay at the .same tii.ie as the uravv
and swnns on the surface; then my ea.ver ren.oves it with a
silver s.,oon uhieh I ha.l n.ade fur that ...irpose -
•' W here do you live '.' "• asked the Kiui,'.
•* At rierrefonds, Siie."
"At PieriefomlsV Where is that M. du Vallon V Near
lielie-lsle? -'Cell
■• Oh no, Sire. I'ierrefonds is in the Soiss(,i.nais "
'1 thou.irhtyou told me about the .a.ub on a.ro.n.t of the
salt marshes.
u2^W l^"'""" ' ''''7 ',"'•''■'• ■ ^ '^^'"■'' ''''■ ''"t .^.ilt, it is tr..e
but whieh are none the less valuable '■ ^"ue,
si.^t*;>f^IW^'^ ''T''"'^ "'" '^'" '^'^''^^' ^"^ ^'"'""t I'-i..^
eould ' <""t.nue<l to play his part as well as he
" You have a splendid appetite, yi. du Vallon," sai.l the
King, "and you are a .leli-htf.d guest. "
"Ah, Sire, if y„nr .Majesty ever came to I'i.Trefonds we
::;^;itn=i?""^''^''' '■'•'■ ^•'•''^'■'■''''^-
P.^h^S'".f"' '^"''"^ '' ^^•"■"' ^■^■'^ ■•"•^- ^'^ table.
lepair his blunder, " I was m the musket..ers, and iiothin.r
could .safsty me. Your Majesty, as I have just had tlie honor
THE K/Xf.'s SIPPKR.
477
"f t.lliiii,' ,\()ii, lias a p.(,(l ,ti.|i.'tilc, hilt, you make loo .l.'lu'atfl
1 I IiMii'c m| vdiir (uihI 1,1 Im' called a '^'rcat cater."
I'lii' KiiiL,' st'fiui'd cliaiiiif.l uitli Ins i^iifst's iiolitniess.
■• \V '1 yoii try some of tliivsc cn-ains '.' " said lit" to I'oitlios.
"Ml , your Majesty tii'als me with too inucii kindness lor
me not to tell yiiil the whole tnitll."
•' l'i.i\ do so, M. (Ill Vallon."
•■ Well, Sir,., with rei^'anl to sweets, I know oiilv jiastry, and
I'ven that -hould lie ciuiie solid. All these finthV fouds swell
tlu! stoiiiacji. ami o( cuiiy space which seems to me ;o be too
jirecioiis to he so [loorly occii|iie(l."'
" Ah, niessi.Mirs.'' saiii tii.' Kin^', point iiij; to I'oithos, •• tiiere
IS a veiitahle model nf !.,'astronomy. In Mich a wav our t'ath-
iTs used to eat, who knew what t,'ood catiiif,' was, "while we,"'
aihled his Majesty, •• upset our stomachs."
^ As he spokti he took the breast of a cliieken with ham.
I'oithos attacked a dish of part rid^'cs and (piails. The cui>-
bearer tilled his Majesty's j^dass.
"Give M. (Ill Vallon some of my wine," said tlie Kint,'.
This was one of the ^Teatest" honors of the royal table.
n'Artauciian picsseil his fiicnd's knee.
•• If you can swallow only the half of that l)o;ii"s heixl which
I see yonder," said he to i'oithos, •' 1 shall believe you will
be a duke and peer within the yeiir."
" I shall attack it presently," said I'orthos, i.hle'Mnati-
oally.
The boar's turn was not slow in comiiK^', for the Kinj,' took
pleasure in iirLM'i- on his liun-ry ^nPst ; he had nu dish passed
to Poitlios ui.til iie u..d tasted it himself; so he took some of
the boar's head. I'ortho.s showed himself f,'ood f,,r the task.
Instead of eatin- the half of it, a.- D'Arta-'nan had su-'.'ested
heate three-fourths of It.
"It is impossible,"' said the King in a low tone, '-that a
gentleman who eats so g.xjd a supper everv dav, and who has
such beautiful teefli, is not the most 'honest man in niv
kingdom." •'
" Do you hear that ? " said D'Artagnan in his friend's ear.
" Ves, I think I am somewhat in favor," said Porthos
babncing himself on his chair. '
'■ Oh, yon are in luck's way \ "
The King and I'orthos continued to eat in the same way, to
the great satisfaction of the other guests, some of whom from
478
THE VfrOMTi: Di: HllACKLOXXE.
"*^-
'm^k
I
til
111
emulation ha<l iittpnipto,! to keep up with thoni, hut luul l,ep„
obli>,'e(l to .,'ivr lip li;ilf wav.
Tl.e Kill- l.,-aii to ,i;vt tlush,.,!, au,l tin. iraction „f tlin
bloo.1 to lus tac« slion-e.l that tl... inoiiH^iit of r.M, lotion lri,l
com,' t wa.s then that Loins XIV.. m^W;u\ .,t biroinii..' .^av
likf all druikcrs, i,Mr\v dull aini silent. ^ ^ • >
Porthos .m the .■ontrary, bream.' livlv and talkativo. M„re
than once J) Arta-nan's toot ix-nnndod liim of tins lact Tho
uesst'i-t then appeared.
The Kin- „„ ]„n,-or thoii-ht of I'orthos. lie turned his
eyes to the duov and he was heanl to ask oeeasinnallv
why M. de Saint-.\i-nan \v-;is so Inn- m eomin- ,lust as
with a deep si-h, his Majesty was tinisldn- a' j:,r of pre!
served plums. .M. de Saint-Ai-nan appeare,!. the Kimr-s
eyes, wlneh by de-rees had beeome dull, at ,mee bri-ht-
ened. 1 he eount advanced towards the table and Louis
arose.
Every one did the same, even Porthos. who was finishin- a
piece of alnumd ca,..- eapable of makin- the jaws of a en'"
dile stick together. The supper was over
rocu-
CIIAPTLi; LXI.
AFTKK Sfl'I'KK.
The Kin- took Saiiit-.\i-„an-s arm and passed into the
adioininn; room.
'How late you are. count I"' said he
"I was brin-ing the answer. Sire," replied Saint-Aignan.
it took her a Ion- time to uswer what I wrote "
"Sire your Majesty dei-ned to writ.' verse., and Madem-
oiselle de la \alhere wi.slied to repay vuiir Majestv in the
same com, that i.s, in gold." J .* "
"Verses SaMit-Ai-nan!" cried the Kin- deli-hted ; "-ive
them to me ! And Louis broke the seal ,.f a small letter eon-
tuning the verses whicli history has ,,resr'rved for us, ami
whi.'h have merit so far as the writer's intention, and not
her execution was concerned. Such as thev were, however,
they delighted the King, who .howed his^ pleasure bv un-
equivocal transpiM'ts of joy ■ but the universal silence warned
liOU
ri
AFTER SfPP/JR.
IS, so iiarticular as to (Ipcoriim. that liis delight nii-lit
in 1
sp to various inrcqirftati
Ills.
II.' t
479
give
lis
i"ii«''l and jiut tlic note
l.ork.n; llirii taking a step vvhidi jjiunght hini Inu'k
the tlili'.iiiolil (if tlic (1
-M. (Ill \ali(in, I liavf
oor near Ins guests.
to
lie said
il 1 shall see
SI'CU
you again -AilJi renewed pleas
3011 with the greatest pleasure,
are.
aiK
I'orthos bowed, as th,. Colossus .;f Kho.les might have done
withd
rew t
I'oiii the mom liaekwai'ds
-M. d'Artagnan,"' eoniinued tlie Kin
orders m the gallery
I
am oliliL'-t
I1H»
r
acquainted witli .M. ,lti V'allon
d t(
aris to-mori'ow
on account ci' the dej.artnre ot tl
?, '•you will await my
> you lor having made
.Messieurs. I return to
ihirs from Spain and Holland. Cntil t
le amhassa-
Th
ii-iiiorrow, then.
ipart^meiit wa.s at once cleared of its guests. The K
i''"'> 5i'i'l made hi;n read Ln Vail
took Saint-A
verses over a''ain.
iguaii s
nil
lere s
sani he.
" What do you think of them
'• Sire, they are charming.'"
Tliey certainly charm me. and were thev known — "'
k
Oh, the poets would he jealous of tl
now of them
lei
u; but they will not
Did
you
ive he
'■ Oh, Sire, she de
r nnne
vol
I was afraid thev w
lied them.
tl
That
ere weak.
IS not what 31
iileuK
lein.
)iselle de la Valliere said of
Do you think she liked them
O !J
Your IMajesty will
" I am sure of it, Sire."
"I must answer, then."'
"Oh, Sire, iminediatelv after supper
tire yourself."
;; I suppose you ai- right: study, after eating, is injurious."
' Kspeeially the labor of a poet. ]>.csides. p.st at present
there IS great excitement at Mademoiselle de la Valliere's "
" What excitement '.' "'
"The same that is affecting all the ladies "
"Why'.'"'
" because of the accident to jioor De (Juiclie."
" W hat : has something happened to De (Juiehe '^"
in hiVh-V^r' ""'-"V''' ^^'"'•■' '■'^ ''''''^y ^"'"^i l^e has a hole
m nis breast, and is dyn g.
" Great Heavens .' ' \' Lo told you ? "
480
TIIF. VK'OMTi: DE HRAd ELOXMl
M
i
I
<
Mtur
" Maiiicanip has just taken liini to a doctor at Foiilaineliloau,
and tlic I'liiiKir spread."
"Taken him'.' Poor De (Juiche: How did it liai'inn '.'"
" Ah. that is it. Sire. — how did it liaupen '.' "
" Vou say that in a stran.i^'c way, Saint-Ai.niian. Give nie the
details. \Vhat (hies lie say '.' "
" He says nothin:,'. .Sire ; but the otucrs — "
'< Wliat'others '.' "
"Those who hroii^jht him hack, Sire."
" Who are they ? "
"I do not know. Sire; hut M. de Manicamp knows, for he
is one of his I'riends."'
" Like every one else," said the Kin;^'.
"Oh, no," said Saint-AiuMian, '-nou are mistaken, Sire.
Pvvery mie is not exactly a triend of M. de (iuiehe."
" How do yon know that '.' "
"Does your Majesty wish me to explain myself?"
" ( 'ertainly [ do."
" \Vell. Sire, I think I have heard about a (juarrel between
two u'cntlemen."
•■ When ■.' ■•
"Th.is very ovetnnj^, before your Majesty's supper."
"Th t scarcely proves anything. I have issued su(di severe
orders :n re.Ljard to duelling that no one, I presume, would dare
to disol), ' them."
'• I' that ease, m.iy (lod preserve me from excusing any one ! "
excl.i.aied Saint-Aignan. '• ^'our Majesty commamleil me to
speak and i sjioke,"'
" Tell me, tlien, how the (jomte de Guiehe has been wounded."
"Sire, they say it was at a boardiunt.''
" This evening '.' '"
'• Yes."
'•One of his hands shattered ! A hole in his breast ! Who
was at the liunt with him '.' '"
"I do not know, Sire. lUit M. de Manicamp knows, or
ough<- to know."'
" \ ju ire hiding soniething from nu\ Saint-Aignan.''
"Xothing, Sii'e. nolhing."
"Then explain thi' accident to me. Was it a musket that
burs*:? ■"
" I'ossiblv. I!ut on rctlcction. it could not have been. Sire
for He (iuiidie's pistol, still loaded, was found near him."
AFTER SUPPER.
481
'•you will leave by the
/'Flis piste! ? l?ut one .Ines not po to a boar-hunt with a
pistol. It seems to me."
" Sir. it is said also that J)e (iuiche's horse was killed, an.l
that Its body is still in the clearin-,'."
"/Iks horse ? De Gui.-he went" on l,or.eb;irk to the boa,-.
t'unt . De ^aInt-.\l-nan, 1 ,h, nnt umhTstand a word of what
you aic sayni- \V],e,v did the affair happen •,' "
••Mrc. Ill the Roehin woods, at the Kond-l'oint "'
•• \ ery ,t,'ood. ('all .M. d"Arta-nan.'"
Saint-Ai-i.an ol)eyed. The nuiskcteer enteivd
" M. d Arta-nan," said tlu- Knu
small door of the private staircase."
" Yes, Sire."'
" Vuu will mount your horse."
'• Ves, Siie."
■• An.l yon will ,^o to the Kond-Point in the Kochiu woods.
Do you know the place '.' "'
'• •'^iie, I have fonglit there twice."
" What : ■' exclaimed the Kin^. amazed at the replv
"hire, under the edict.s of Tanlinal Iliehelieu/'" went on
i) Artagnan, with his usual calm.
" That is diff-.Tcnt, monsieur. You will therefore i,^o and
.•xamine the l.K.dUv carefully. A man has been wounded
o hn.k > H "■''L^"'l"'- ''^'^"^ '^"'•^^'- ^'^'^ ^^>H tell me what
\ou tliink ol the aftair.
" \ev\ j,'ood. Sire."
noMh-foJ «;i'lu>ut saying that it is your opinion I want and
not tliat ot any one else.
" You shall have it witiiin an hour, Sire "
^^^ 'M forbid you to speak with any one, no matter who it may
I)-Ana%i^'''' '^'' "''"'''"' ^"^'"'"'^ '"^ " lantern," said
'; Yes, of e.mrse.-' said the King, laughing at the liberty
-h.ch he tolerated in none but his oaptaiiTof musketeei^ ^
D Artagnan jeit by tiie little stairway.
" Now let my doctor be sent for," said Louis
Ten minutes later the Kings physician arrived, out of breath
.M.)ns>eur, said the King, "you will go with M. de Saint-
A.gnan wherever he may take you, and brim, me an account
win iTl'",". ." "" '•;''*'"' ^■^'"^^''1' see in the house to
wnicii 1 re.paest you to ^^o.
Vol. 11, - Jl
482
THE VIcdMIE !)/■: /!/!A(;//.(i\XE.
Till' ]iliysicia]i olifypd, witlm-it niakiiiL; any cniiiincii , as al
tliat time ppoplo wcif h.'^'imr ..liey Lcuns XIV., and with-
drew, |)rt'cediiij,' Saiiit-Aij4iiai.
'• ^■ MI. Saiiit-.\ii,'Maii, scud me Mauicaiup, beiore the i)iiysi-
ciau can speak to him."
Saint-Aiguau 'eft in his turn.
CHAPTKIt LXir.
HOW UAUTAGNA.V
DIS. llAI£<ii;i) Tin; MISSION'
KiMi (;avi; him.
WHIC}I THK
CM4t*I,
u
Wiiii.ic the Kinj; was makinLj tliese arraiiL,'ements, in order
to discovrr the trutli, IVArtagiuui, without ii)siii>< a seruud,
ran to the stable, took down the lantern, saddled his hurse
himself, and set out to the phc' indicated by his Majoty.
Aeeonling to his promise, he had neither seen nur met any one,
and, as we have said, he had carried his scruples t(i the "point
ot doing witliout the help ot the staliie boys and grunms.
D'Artagnan was one ot thuse who [iride themselves in mo-
ments of ditiiculty uii increasing their even value. liy Jive
minutes" galloping lie reaidied the wood, tied his horse to the
first tree he came to, and went on t\n)t to the (ipen space.
Then, lantern in hand, he began to iii>]iect the whole surface
of the Rond-1'oint, went, came, measured, examined, and after
half an hour's insjiection, returned silently to his horse, and
rotle slowly and thnughtfiiliy back to Fontaincbleau.
Louis was waiting m his cabinet. He was alone, and was
scribbling on a piece of paper some lines which, at first glance,
D'Artagnan saw were uneciual and full of corrections. He
concluded they must be verges.
Louis looked up and saw D'Artagnan.
" Well, monsieur," said he, " do you bring me any news ? "
" Ves, Sire."
" What have you seen '.' ''
" In all probability. Sire — " said D'Artagnan.
" It was certainty I asked of you."
" I shall approach it as (dosely as possible. The weather was
well fitted tor such investigations as I have just made. It
rained this evening, and the roads were wet."
finn-
D'ARTAfiXAX DISCH A RuEI) THE MlssloS. Wi
" Well, M. (r.VrtagiKiii ? ""
•' Siio, your M.ij.'st.v told nie tli;it tluMv \v;l^s a dead lu.rsp at
til.' cross-road of tlu- K.udiii. woods; and I l)e-ai, by studyiiii,'
tlu' woods. I say tlu' wouds, because the centre ot' the cross-
road IS reached by tour road
trac
feet
Tlie one I myself took was tlie only one tl
, -i.'it iiresente<l fresh
^s. 1 wo horses liad followed it side by side ; their ei^ht
were very distinctly marked in the clay.
' < hie of the riders was in
toot-prints of one wcip invariably in ad
;i ;.;reater liurry than the other. The
half
a horse
■n-th.
vanceof the other al)out
Are you sure that they were toiretl
Mre.
ler
asked the Kintr.
le lioi
es are two lari,'e animals of ecjual pace
horses used to manceuvres. for they wheeled together around
the 1
lanirr of the K(Mid-l'oint.''
The t
monsieur
wo
order to rcLCulate
rideis stopjied therefor an instant, no doubt
le conditions of the en,i,M''enient. The 1
rew imi)atient. One of the riders spoke, the other 1
Ml
liorst's
>ntenting liimself by merely answe
His 1
he i:ro
istened,
se pawed
...^ ...Mi.^r-,, „N iii.Mei\ answeruij,'. iiis lioi'se pav
und, whi(h proves that he was so taken up by listen
that he dropped his bridh
" All engagement took place, then?'
" rndoubtedly."
" (
'oiitinue ; you are a close observer"
'One of the two riders, th
d
one who liad been listeninr
ing
re-
niainetl where he was ; the other cro.ssed the open space and
at hrst placed Inmself opjnjsite his adversary. Then the one
wlio had remained still crossed about two-thirds of the Kond-
lomt at a gallo]., thinking he would gain on his opponent;
but the latter had followed the circumference of the wood."
'• \ou (h^ not know their names, do you ? "'
•'No, Sire. Only the one who followed the circumference
ot file wood rode a IJav'k horse."'
" How do you know that ? "'
"A few hairs of his tail were on the brambles along the side
of the ditch.''
" Go on."'
"As to the other horse, 1 had no trouble in making him out
since he was dead on the field ;,f battle."
•• What caused his death '.' "
"A ball which had passed through his temple."
Jl?
484
IHK VKDMII-: I)n HHA'U.LONNE.
I
<
" Was the hall that of a iii.-.t(il or a ,L;un '.'"
"Of a pistol, Sire. Resides, the wdiiiid of the lioise sliowed
nie the taetics of the man wlio liad killed it. lie liad followed
the liifuiiiference of the wood to take his adversary in the
flank. Besides, I followed his foot-traeks on tlie j,'rass."
" The tracks of the hlack lior.se '.' "'
" Yes, Sire.''
" (Jo on. ^^. (rArt:i\'nan."'
" Now thai yonr .Majesty jjcrceives the jxisition of the two
adversaries, 1 must leave the rider who remained stationarv for
the one who galloped away."
" I)u so.'*
" The horse of the rider who eharged was killed on the
spoi."
" How do you know that'.' "
'• The cavalier did not have to dismount, and fell with liis
horse. I saw the impressicm of his le;,', which he d-ew with a
great effort from under the horse. The spur, pressed (hiwu by
tlie weii,dit of the animal, had ])Io\it,die(l up tlie ground.''
" (Jood. .\nd what did he do on risint''.'"
" He walked straight \\\) to his adversary."
•' Still on the ed-e of the forest ".' "
" Yes, Sire. Then, having reached a good di.stanee, he
stojiped.for his lieels were stamped near each other, tired, and
missed his adversary."
" How do you know he missed him ? "
" I found a hat with a ball through it.''
•' Ah, a proof." exclaimed the King.
•' Insutiicient, Sire," replied D'Artagnan, coldly, " it is a hat
without letters or arms, bearing a red feather such as every
hat has. Even the lace had nothing particular about it."
" And did the mar with tlie hat tire a second time ? "
" Oh. Sire, he had already fired twice."
" How did you find that out ? "
" I found the wadding of the pistol."
'' What became of the bullet which did not kill the horse?"
" It cut in two the feather of the hat belonging to the one
against whom it was directed, and broke a small birch at the
other end of the open space."
" In that ease the man on the black horse was disarmed,
while his ailversary had still one more shot to fire."'
"Sire, while the dismounted rider was rising, the other was
flow D'.iHT.ihXAx i)is('iL\n,ii:D THE .\rfssioy. 4.^.',
ifliiatliiiL; liis pistol. Only he was greatly agitated wliilft re-
loaiiiiig it. and his hand trembled."
'■ H(i\v do yon know that '.' "
'• Half the charge tell to the ground, and he threw aside
Ihe ramrod, not taking the time to replace it in the pistol.'"
" M. (I'Artagnan, what you tell me is marvellous."
'• It is only ol)servation. Sire, and the commonest highway-
man Could do as much."
" From hearing you f can picture th.e w",iole scene."
'• 1 hi-ve, as a matter of fact, reconstructed it in my mind
with oidy a few changes."
'• .\nd )iow let us return to the dismounted cavalier. You
said that he walked towards his adversary while the latter was
reloading his pistol ? '"
'• Yes, but just as 'i>> ainH>d the other tired.'"
" (Ml!"' said the King, "and the shot '.' ""
"The shot was terril)le, Sire. The unmounted cavalier fell
forward after taking three or four tottering steps.""
'• Whe'e was he hit'.'"'
"In two places; tirst in his right liand, then by the same
sliot in the che.st."
"Buthowemdd you know that?'" asked the K'ng, tilled
with admiration.
" Oh, it is simple enough. The butt end of the pistol was
covered with blood, and traces of the bullet were visible with
nieces of a broken ring. The wounded man, therefore, in all
j.robability had the ring finger and the little finger carried
off.'"
"So far as the hand goes I am convinced; but the chest?"
•' Sire, there were two pools of blood two feet and a half
a])art. At one of these pools the grass was torn up bv a
••liiiched hand; at lie other, the grass was simply pressed
down by the weighs of the body."
•' Poor De Cruiche ! "' exclaimed the King.
" Ah ! was it M. de Guiche '.' "' asked the musketeer, quietly.
•' I suspected it ; but I did not venture to speak of it to your
-Majesty."'
" What made you suspect it ? "
" I recognized the (J'-ammont arras on the holsters of the
ilead horse."'
" And you think him seriously wounded ? "
" Very seriously, siuce he fell at once and remained a long
ill
48t)
Tin: V [COM IE /)/•: nuACKLoysi-:
time in the same jiImcp ; liowcvcr. lie was iil)lt' to walk, t\)r he
left the spilt, sujijiiirti'd by t\\<) frii'iids."
•• ^'()U Met him ictiiriiiiii;, then '.' '"
'• No; hilt I saw the footiniiils of tlii(>e men. The one on
tiie rii,'ht ami the one on the left walked fie ly and easily, hut
t!ie one in the middle drafj'^'ed his feet alon ,. 1>< sides, every
footprint was marked l)y hlood."
" Now, monsieur, since }(>u saw the combat so w( 11 that not
a single detail escaped you, tell me a little about i)e Guiche's
adversary."
'• Oil, Sire I I do not know him."'
" Vet you see everything clearly '.' "
'' Ves. Sire."" said D'Artagnan, *' I see everything, but I do
not tell all I see ; and since the po(U' devil has escajted, your
Majesty will permit me to say that 1 shall not denounce him."
" Yet lie is guilty, monsieur, since he has fought a duel."
" Not to my mind, Sire." said I )".\rtagnan, coldly.
" ^^onsieur,'' cried the King. " do you fully realize what you
are saying '.' "'
" Perfectly. Sire ; but in my eyes a man who tights a duel is
a brave man. That is my opinion. Your Majesty may have
another ; that would only be natural, for you are master."'
"M. d'Artagnan, I ordered — "'
D"Artagnan interrupted the King by a respectful gesture.
'' You ordered me to find information about a combat,
Sire; you have it. If you order me to arrest M. de (iuiche"s
adversary I will obey. Hut do not order me to denounce him
to you, for this tiu-.e I will not obey."
'"'^Vell, arrest him."
"Name him. Sire."
The King stamped his foot. Then, after a moment's reflec-
tion, lie said :
'• You are right — ten, twenty, a hundred times right.''
"That is my opinion. Sire. 1 am hap}iy that it is your
Majesty's, too.""
" One more word. Who helped De (luiche '.' "
" I do not know."'
'• lUit you speak of two men. There was a witness, then ? "'
"There was none. Furthermor". when M. de (iuiehe fell, his
advei'sary Ih-d without even giving him lielp."'
" The wretch I "
" The deuce, Sire, it is the result of your ordinances. The
Tlie
HOW u'\irr.u!XAX i>isriiM;ai:i, ■/■///■: Miss/n.y. 4«7
.nun l.;,.s fnu'^ht W..11, l.as ...sea,,,.,] on.- ,l,.;uh. and wishes to
escape anollier. lie reniemhers .M. ,1,. iJ.Hittfville."
'• Anil so tlie man beconK's a Cdwanl '.'"
'' N'o, lio becomes prudent."
" So he Hed •.'••
" Ves.and as.iuickly as his h.„-se coul.l possibly oarrv him "
'• In what diiection / '' -^ j •
'• Towards the chateau "
" Well •.' •■
" Weil, as I have had the h.mor of tellin^^ your Majesty, two
men arrived on toot, who carried away M. de (Juiche "
^^^^-^Uliut proot have you that these men arrived after the
''Ah, a very clear proof. At the nn.ment the encounter
look place the ram ha.l ju.t stopped. It had not ha.l time to
sink into t lie soil, vhuh was still .lamp. The footsteps were
iniiu-inted on it. Hut affr the d.ud, while M. de Guiche lav
'ii.runsciuu.s, the groun.l .lrie,l, and the footsteps made less of
an impression. '
Louis clapped his haii(l.« in admiration
'• M. d'Artagnan," said he, " you are the cleverest man in my
Kinj^dom. ' •'
.Si,".T.''^^ i.s what M. de Kichelieu though^ and M. de Mazarin,
"Xow it remains to be .seen if your sagacity is at fault."
^>''. '^'''e, a man may be mistaken ! En-ar. hnmnnam .sf "
In that ease you are not human, M. d'Artagnan, for I think
that you are never mistaken."
" Your Majesty said that we were going to see "
" 1 es."
" In what way, if you please " "
eomim^"'' "'"^ *"'' ^^- '^' ^^^''"'■''^^■"P '^"^^ ^I- ^^e Manicamp is
" -Vnd M. de Manicamp knows the secret ■? "
" De Guiche has no secrets fnnu ^F. de Manicamp."
i) Artagnan shook his head.
"No one w-as ju'esent at the duel, I repeat, and unless M. de
Manicamp IS one of the two men that brought him back-"
Hush, said the King, « he is comin.' "
" Very good. Sire," said the nmsketeer
the\'hreshohL'"'"' ^^^^'"^^^^''1' ^"^^ Saint- Aignan appeared on
I
4^8
■/■///•; vicoMii: IU-: /iR.ihi:ijix\i-:
niAI'TKR LXIII.
I
t
<
•nil
mvf
fes
Tin: HINT.
Tin-; Kini^ inaih' an iiniuMioiis ^,'ostiut' to the iiuisk«'tror and
to Saiiit-Aii;iiaii uiiicli sii,'iiitit'(l :
•' Silt'iicc, (111 vour lives I "
D' Aitai,Miaii, likf a soiilicr, withdrew to a cniiicr of tho
room. S,iiiit-Aii,Mian. like a tavoritc, h'ancd (>v(n' tlif hark of
the lvi!ii,'"s chair. Maiiii'aiii|i. his ri;.;lit I'not advanced, a siiiiht
on his lijis, his wliite liands ,i,'racet'ully t'olded. advanced to
make liis reverence to the Kin^'. The Kin^,' returned the sahi-
tation with a nod.
" (Tood-eveniiii,'. M. <le Manicamii.' said lie.
'' Voiir Majesty lias dune nie the honor to send ior nie,'' said
Manicami).
" Yes, in order to learn from you tho details of the unfirtii-
nate accident which has haiipeiied to the Conite de Ciuiche."
"Oh, Sire, it is indeed sad."
" Were you there '.' "'
"Not exactly, Sire."
" lint you arrived on the scone a few minutes after the
accident happened '.' "
" Yes, Sire, about half an hour afterwards.''
" Where did it occur '.' "
" I think, Sire, that the place is called the Rond-Point in
the Kochiii woods."
" Yes, the meeting-place of the hunt."
" Yes, Sire."
'• Well, tell me what you know about the details of this un-
fortunate affair, M. de Manicamp."
" Perhaps your Majesty has already been informed, and I
fear to weary you by a repetition."
'• Xo, you need not be afraid."
Manicamp looked around him. He saw only D'Artagnan
leaning against the wall, D'Artagnan, calm, kind, good-natured,
and Saint-Aignan, with whom he had come, and who still
leaned over the King's chair with an eijually kind countenance.
He decidei], therefore, to speak.
" Your Majesty is not ignorant of the fact that accidents are
common in hunting," said he.
THI-: /fi XT.
4m'.)
" III liuiitiiis '■' '
" VeH, Sii-p. I iiKMii in li,,;,r liiintmt,',"
••All" said th.' Kill.:, ••s,, iIh- im-uU-nt h.iuuouM in a boar
MUllt. '.'
•• Wliy, ,v"s, Siiv," rcturn..,l .Maincan:ii. -Di.l not v-mr
Ai.iji'sty kiKiw tliat '.' ■'
"Only ill part," said tlii' Kiiit,', l.astiiv, tor Louis \IV al-
ways hated a lalsehood. - So you say tlu- acndent occurred as
lie was taklll^' aim '.' "
" Alas, yes. Siif, iinfoitunattdy."
Tlif Kiiif,' |)ausi'd.
'• What animal w.is lifini,' hnntrd '.' " ho asked.
" A wild hoar, Sire."
"And what ((.uld hine l,een Do (iui.die's i,iea to p) like that
a! aluue. t,, hunt a wild l„.ar 7 That is a eountrv fellow idea
«d sp.-rt. and tit at best iuv those nho, unlike the' Maivehal de
(u-animunt, have no do^'s or liuntsmen, to hunt like a "entle-
man." "
Maiiieanii) shrug:,'e;l liis shoulders.
" Vouth is rash," said lie sententiously.
" Well, go on ! " said the Kinj,'.
"Well," continued Manieaiui., not daring' to hurrv, but
dwelliiiLC on eaeh wonl, as if he were drai,'-in- his feet throu-h
a swaiui.. " poor De Cuiehe went all alone." "
-All alone, really? What a tine huntsman.' And does
not M de Guiche know that the wild boar always stands at
hay? '
" That is just what happened, Sire."
'* He kn'nv the animal was there, then ? "
" ^'es, .Sire, some peasants had seen it amonL' their
j)otatoes.
" And what kind of animal was it ? "
" A short, thick one."'
" You might just as Avell tell me, monsieur, that De Guiche
had an idea of committing suicide, for I have seen liim hunt,
and he is an expert marksman. When he tires at an animal
brought to bay and checked by tlie dogs, he takes everv i)re-
caution, and yet he fires with a carbine ; but this time he 'faced
the boar with pistols ouly."'
Jfanicamp started.
"Costly pistols, excellent to tight a duel with a man; but
not with a wild boar. The devil ! "
f
Ui
490
rm: viiaMii: />/-: iUi.\<ii:i.<>\si:.
I
%\i
<
'• Sir<', tlii'ic ;in' sdiiic tliin,:,'s Isiiii tu lie cviilaincii."
" Voii iirt' 1 it,'lit, ;iii(i tins at't'iiii' is niic ot tliciii. (ioon."
During' till- i(iiiviMs;iti(Hi, Siuiit-AiKHiiii, wIki (ifrliiips Udiihi
hiivf si^,'iif(i to M:iiiitMiii|i not to^'ivc liiiiiselt iiwiiy, was trans-
fixed iiy tilt' iinwavci ini; ^'lancf ot tlic Kini,'. ( 'oniniuniiation,
thcrciort', between Inniseif and Maiiieaniii was inipossilile. As
for l)'ArtaL,'uan, tiio statue ol Silenee at Athens was more
noisy and more ex|)iessi\ c tlian lie.
Manieami) tlieretoie eontinned, in the way he had l)et,'iin, to
yink deeiier and (lee])er intu the siiaie,
•■Sii'e," saiil he, "this is iirohahly iiow it liajniened. De
(Juiehe was waitiiii,' tor tlie hoar."
•• ( )n horseliaik, or on toot'.''" asked the Kinj,'.
'■ < hi liorseiiaik. He tired at tin- beast, and iiiis.sed it."
'• ( 'himsy fellow ! "'
'• 'I'lie animal spran;.; at him."
" And the horse was killed."
" Ah: your Majesty kncws that?'"
•' 1 was told that a Imrse had been found dead at the eross-
nad of the Roeliin woods, so I presumed that it was J)o
tluielie's ."
" It was indeed, Sire."
" Well, so mueh for the liorse ; Imt how about De (iui(die '.' "
"Once (h)wii, De (iniche was attai ked by the boar and
wounded in his Iiand and chest."
"It is a horrible accident; but it must be admitted it was
De (iuiche's fault How could any one have ;,'one to Imnt
such an animal with iiistols I Jle must have forj,'otteii the
fable of A(h)nis."
Manicamp rubbed his ear.
"That is true," said he, " it was very imi)rudeut.''
"('an you explain it, ^I. Manicamp'.'"
" Sire, wliat is written, is written ! "
" Ah ! you are a fatalist."
Manicamp was growing nervous and ill at ease.
" I am vexed with you, M. de Manicamp," continued the
King.
"With me, Sire?"
" Ye.s, you are De Guiche's friend, you know he is subject
to sucli acts of fully, yet yt)U did not stop liim."
Manicamp did not know what to say. Tlie King's tone was
not exactly that of a credulous m:ni. t)ii the other hand, it
Tin: HI- XT.
491
\v
:i>. iiiit paiticni.uly
Ihl I
• 'II', iiur did lie sf'fiii to iiisi.^r. ii|ioii
tiirtliiT (■nl^s-^•xullllll.lti()Ii. Itshou.-.l mkuc i;ii1Um-v ill it lli;iii
llll'llllCC.
"And ymi say, tln'ii," idiiiinin'il liic K iiilt, '• tli;it it win
really !>(> (Jiiicli.-'s lidrst- that ua.s touiid di'ail'.'"
" Vfs, iiidct'il."'
" Did tliiit siu'idiso vmi '.' "
"No, Sirt'. At thf hiNt liunt, your Majesty may rfiiiciulifr
that M. df Saiiit-.Maure liad a horse kdled iiiideV him, and
ill t he same w a v."
" \'es. hut Ins was ,!:^emlMl\velll■d.■"
" \fs, Sire."
" llail l)i' (luiehe's horse been ripped o|ieii like >[. (h- Saillt-
Mauie's, I should not have lieen siii pi i.^ed, /«//■(//,■/;/ "
Manicaiiip opened his eyes wide.
" l!ut what astonishes me." went on the I'viii^;, "is that De
<iiii.lie"s huse, instead cd' Leinj,' ripped open, liad Ins head
.<triick."'
.M.iuicamp ^'lew trouliled.
■• .\m 1 wroie.,' '.' "■ continued thi' Iviir.,'. "Was not 1 )e
(iuiehe's horse stiiiek oil the temples'." Confess, .M. de Mani-
eamp. tliat tiiis is straiiLje.''
•' Sire, you know that tlie iiorse is a very iiitelligont animal ;
this one prol)al)ly tried to deiend liinisidt'.""
" liut a horse dei'euds liimself with his hind let^'s. and not
with his head."
" 111 that case the lu^rse, terrified, may liave fallen," said
Manieamji, " and the boar, you understand, Sire, tiie hoar — "'
" ^ es, I understand about the hor.se, but how aitout tlie
rider ? "
" Well, it is very simple. The boar returned from the horse
to the rider, and, as I luivo already hail the honor of telling'
your Majesty, shattered 1)(; (iuiche's hand just as lie was about
to discharge his second pistol at him ; then' with a lunge of his
tu.sk he made the hole in his chest."'
•• Nothing is more probable. Really. M. de Afanicamp, you
are wrong to trust so little to your eloquence ; you caa tell
an admirable story."'
" Your ^lajesty is very kind,"" said Manicamj), bowing in a
most embarrassed manner.
•• I'.nt from to-day I forbid my gentlemen to go hunting.
Tht; deuce I One might just as well a'.iuwthem to tight duels."
492
THE VICO.MTK DE IS/IAGELOXXE.
m
Rich
Manicamp started and moved as if to witlidraw.
" Is your Majesty satisfied '.' " said he.
"I)elif,'hted. J5ut do not withdraw yet, >I. <le Manicami),"
said Louis, " I have further business with you. '
" Well, well,"' thouufht l)".Vrtaj,'iia;i, •• there is another who
has not our stren<,nh."" And he h.'uved a si;<h which might
signify, '< Oh I where are the men of our stamp now .' '"
At that moment an usher raised the purtiere and ;innounced
tlie King's physician.
"Ah:"' e.Kclaimed Louis, -'here is M. Valot, who has just
been to see ^L de Ciuiche. >;ow we shall have news of the
wounded man."
JLinicanip felt more ill at ease than ever.
"In this way, at least." added the King, " our conscience
will be clear."'
And he looked at D'Artaguan, who did nut move an eye-
lash. •'
CHAPTER LXIV.
THK I'llVSICI.VX.
M. Vai.ot entered.
The room presented the same a|)pearance. The King was
seated, Saint-Aignan still leaned over his ckiir, D'Artagnan
had nis back to the wall, and .Maiiicam[) was standing.
" Well, M. Valot,"' said the King, " did vou obev me ".' "'
" With alacrity, Sire."
" You went to your confrere's house in Fontainebleau '.'"
"Yes, Sire."
" And found M. de Guiche there ? '"
" Yes."'
" In what condition ? Tell me frankly."
"In a very pitiable condition, Sire.""
" And yet the wild boar had not devoured hiui ?"
" Devoured whom '.' "
"De (Juiche."
" What wild boar ' "
" The boar that wounded him.'"
" Was M. de (Juiche hurt by a wild boar ? "
" So it is said."
THE PHY SIC I AS.
498
" By some poaolicr. rather."
" Some poaclior '.' "'
" Or some jealous luishand or ill-used lover who, in order to
aveiii^e himself, iired at him."
" What do you say, M. V'alot ? Were not M. de (iuielie's
wouuds produced by defending himself against a wild hoar '.' "'
" M. de Guiche's wounds are the result of a pistol-siutt,
which broke his riug-tiiiger and the little finger of his riglit
hand, and afterwards buried itself in the intercostal muscles^of
the chest."
" A bidlet? Are ym\ snre M. de (iuiche was wounded by a
bullet"." cried the King, pretending to be surprised.
" Indeed ! " said Valot, " so sure that here it is, Sire."
And he presented to the King a half-flattened bullet.
The King looked at it. but withont touching it.
" Did he have tliat in his chest, poor fellow? " he asked.
" Nut exactly. The ball did not ])enetrate, but was flat-
tened, as you see, either nnde the trigger of the pistol or upon
the right side of tlie breast bone."
"Zounds! " said the King, seriously ; "you told me noth-
ing of all this, M. de Manioamp."
" Sire — "
" What was all that story about the wild boar, the hunt by
night ? Come, speak ! "
"Ah, Sire — "
« It seems to me that you are right." said the King, turning
to his captain of musketeers, "and that there was a duel."
The King more than any one else had the faculty given to
the powerful of comj)roniising and dividing his inferiors.
]\lanicamp darted a look full of reproach at the musketeer.
D'Artagnan understood the look, an.d did not wish to remain
under the weight of the accusation.
He took a step forward.
" Sire," said he, " your Majesty commanded me to exannne
the cross-road in the Koclun woods, and to tell you what I
thought bad occurred there. I told you the result of my obser-
vations, out without denouncing any one. It was vour Majesty
yourself who first nauied M. de (Juiche."
"Well, monsieur," said the King, haugldily, "you have done
your duty and I am satisfied with you • that oTight to suffice.
But you, M. de Manicanip, have not done yours, for vou lied
to me."
%t
i
I "i^
494
Tin-: ]',(•{ >M I :: ;;/•;
A<i[:ij).\XH,
" Lied, Sire ? That is ; hard word."
" Find another.'"
" Sire, I will not look for one. I liave already been unlor-
tunate enon^li to displease your Majesty, and I think it will
be best to an opt humbly the reproaches -ou deem itroner to
address to me."' '
"You are ri-lit, monsieur, one always displeases me bv
hiding from me the truth."' ^
"Sumetiiues, Sire, one does not know the truth."
"^'o further false!, ood or I double the punishment."
Manicamp bowed and grew pale.
D'Artagnan advanced a step, determined to intervene if the
still increasing anger of the King attained certain limits
" Monsieur,"" continued the King, " vou see that it is use-
less to deny the tiling any longer. M. de Ginche has Inu-ht
a duel. "
" I do not deny it, Sire ; and it would have been more <'en-
erous in your Majesty not to have forced a gentleman to'tell
an untruth."
" Forced ! Who forced you '.' "
'• •'^ii"". ^r. .le Guich- is my friend; your Majestv has forbid-
den (iuellmg under pain of death. A falseliood might save my
friend. Therefore I told one." ^
"Good," murmured D'Artagnan ; "he is a fine fellow, mor-
" Monsieur," resumed the King, " instead of telling me an
untruth, you should have i)revented him from fi-htin-' "'
"Oh, Sire! your Majesty, who is tlie most^■lccomplishe,l
gentleman in France, knows well tli.it lu.ne of us soldiers <•.„,-
sidere. M. de Boutteville dishonored f..r Living died on the
Pla.'e de (ireve. That which is dishonorable is' to avoi.l o„e"s
enemy, not to meet his executioner.""
" Well,"" said Louis XI \-., "so be it; 1 will show vou a way
ol repairing everything." " ''
" If it is one suitable f.jr a gentleman [ will seize it oa.-erlv
Sire ! "' o ., >
"The name of M. de Guiche's adversary ' "'
"Oh,"' "'urmured D'Artagnan ; " are we going to have more
or Louis Xlll. '.'
"Siip! " said Mani.'amp, in a time of reproach.
"Vou do not wish to name hmi, apparently'."" said the
THE PHYSICIAN.
495
U
" Sire, I do not know liini."
"Bravo!" muttered l)'Art;ignan.
" M. de Manicanip, liaiid your sword to the captain."
Manicanip bowed gracefully, unbuckled his sword with a
siinle, and handed it to the musketeer.
Hut Samt-Aigu.in stepped hurriedlv between him and D' Vr-
taj^nan.
" Sire/' said lie, " with your Majesty's permission."
" Ves,'' said the Kin-, perhaps <lelighted in his heart of
hearts that some one had intervened between him and the
anger to which he had given way.
'• Maiiicamp, you are a brave' fellow and the King will ap-
preciate your conduct ; but to wish to serve your friends too
well IS to mm them. Manicamo, do you know the name for
which Ills Majesty asked you '.' "
" Yes, I know it."
" Then you will tell it ? "
"Had i felt 1 ought to tell it, I should already have done
so. •'
"Then I will tell it, for, unlike you, I am not sensitive on
such points of honor."
"You are free, and yet it seems to me, however — "
"Oh, a truce to magnanimity. I will not i)ermit you to go
to the Bastille in that way. t>peak yourself, or I will"
Manicamp was a nan of intelligence, and realized' that he
liad done enough to produce a favorable opinion. Now it was
niily a question of continuing in such a way as to regain the
good graces of the King.
" Speak, monsieur,'- said he to Saint-Aignan. " I have done
everything that my conscience told me to do, and it must have
s|H.ken very decide.ily," he adde.l, turning to the King, "since
It led me to disobey your Majesty's commands; but your
•Majesty will forgive me, I trust, when you learn that I had to
preserve the honor of a lady."
" Of a lady ?" asked the King in some anxiety
" Yes, Sire." ^
" A lady was the cause of the duel ? "
Manicamp bowed.
" If her position is sufficiently important," said he, " I shall
not complain of your having acted with caution ; but quite the
contrary.
" Sire, everytliiug which concerns your Majesty's household,
41X5
Tin: vicoM/f: i>i: nnM;i:u)ssh:.
CfiUCM
)
I
•~ii£i
=»•'" ■■
t
or the hoiisohoM of your Miijosty's brotlier, is of importance
in my eyes."'
"In my brotlier's liousehold ".' " repeated Louis XIV. with
a slight lie.sitation. " The cause of tlie duel is a lady in my
brother's household ? "
" Or in Mailame's."
" Ah : in Madame's '.' "
" Ves, Sire."
" And this lady — ''
" Is one of the maids of honor iTi the household of her
royal Highness Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans."'
" For whom M. de (Juiche fought, you say '.' "
"Yes, and this tune I am not lying."'
Louis made an anxious movement.
" Messieurs," said he, turning to the spectators of the scene,
"kindly witlidraw a moment. I juiist be alone with M. de
Manicamp. I know that he has important things to tell me
for his own justitication, and that he docs not dare tod t
before witnesses. Put up your sword, M. de Manicami).''
Manicamp returned his sword to his belt.
"The fellow decidedly has his jjresence of mind," mur-
mured the musketeer, taking Saint-Aignan by the arm and
withdrawing with him.
" He will get out of it," said the latter in D'Artagnan's
ear.
" And with honor, count."'
Manicamp cast at Saint-Aignan and the captain a look of
gratitude, which passed unnoticed by the King.
"Well,'" said D'Artagnan, as he crossed the threshold, " I
had a bad opinion of the new generation, but I was mistaken.
These yuung people have some good in them.'
Valot preceded the fav(U'ite and th'> captain, leaving the
King and Manicamp alone in the cabinet.
n'ARTAoWAiX WAS MiSTAK/siN.
497
CHAPTER LXV.
me
IV WIUfH D AKTAGXAN l{K(()(i\IZi:s THAT HE WAS MISTAKEN
AND THAT MASH AMI' WAS KKillT.
Thk Kin.u;, -oiiig to tlie door himself, m;i(le sure that no one
was hstfuiiii,' and then returned hurriedly and sat down
opposite -Manicamp.
"Now that we are alone, M. de Manieamii, exi)lain vour-
self."' ''
'• With the greatest frankn(>ss, Sire," rejdied the young pian.
" In the first place," said the King, '• remember that I have
nothing so close at heart as the honor of ladies. '
"That is just the reason I tried to show that I understood
your lielicacy of feeling."'
♦' Ves, I see everything now. Von said tliat it was a ques-
tion of one of my sister-in-law's maids of honor, and that the
person concerned, De Gniche"s adversary, the man, in short,
whose name you will not give — " "
'■ But M. de (iuiche will give it, Sire,"
" Yes, and you say tliat this man insulted some one in
Madanie's household ? "'
'• Ves, Sire; .Mademoiselle de la Valliere."'
'• Ah!" said the King, as if he had expected the name and
yet as if the blow had staggered him. " Ah .' it was :>'ademoi-
selle de la Valliere who was insulted."
" I do not say that she was exactly insulted. Sire "
" I'.ut ~ "
" T say that she was spoken of in an unbecoming manner."
"Mademoiselle de la Valliere spoken of in an unbecoming
manner ! And yon refu.se to tell me who insulted lier '.' "
" Sire, I thought it was agreed that your Majesty had given
up the idea of forcing me to denounce him ? "
"That is true, you are right," said the King, coiiiroUing
himself. " Besides, I shall know soon enough the name of the
man whom I shall have to punish."
.Manicamp saw that they had returned to the question. The
King perceived that he had let himself go too far. Theretore
he continued :
"And I -hall punish him, iidt because it is a (piestion of
Madeiuoi>ei;e de la Valliere, although 1 especially esteem her.
Vol. II. — 32
i ■ ?i- t
^\- r
i^lgwl
&m^.i
Ul</V
— — ...
i
*■ " ''J%
498
THE VICOMTE DE BRAGELONNE.
liut because tlie raiise of the quarrel is a lady. Now I intend
that at my court ladies shall be respected, and that there shall
be no quarrels coneerning them."'
Manicanij) bowed.
"And now, M. de Manicamp," continued the King, " what
was said about Mademoiselle de la Valliere?"'
" Cannot your Majesty guess '•' ''
" I ? "
" Your Majesty knows very well the kind of jest in which
young people permit themselves to indulge."
•' They probably said that she was in love with some one '.' "
ventured the King.
" Very likel}-."
" But Madeuu)iselle de la Valliere has a right to love any one
she pleases,"' said the King.
" That is just what De (iuiche maintained."
" And was it on that account that he fought '' "
" Yes, Sire. For that alone."'
The King colored.
" Do you know nothing more ? " said he.
" About what, 8ire '.' "
" Why, about the very interesting matter we are now
discussing."'
" What does your Majesty wisli me to know ? "
" Well, the name of the man whonr La Valliere loves, for
instance, and whom De Guiche's adversary challenged her
right to love.'"
" Sire, I know nothing- I have heard nothing, and have
learned nothing, even by accident ; but I know De Guiche is
a noble fellow, and if for the time being he assumed the place
of La Valliere's protector, it was because that protector was
of too high rank to undertake her defence himself."
These words were more than transparent — they made the
King color again, but this time with pleasure.
He touched Manicamp gently on the shoulder.
" Well, you are not only an intelligent fellow, M. de Mani-
camp, but a brave gentleman, and your friend De Guiche is a
paladin after my own heart. You will tell him this, will you
not ? "
'' Your Majesty forgives me, then?"
" Entirely.'"
" And I am free '.' "
D'ARTA(;.\A\ WAS MISTAKEN.
\m
Tho King ,s,nile,l, and I.el.l out his Land, which Manicamp
took and kissej. '
^^<^Besides," added the King, - you are snch a good story-
•' I, Sire ? "
" Vou gave me an excellent account of De Quiche's accident
hoiMMail and the boar spring Ironi the hcrse to the rider
\ou .hi not describe things, monsieur, you paint them "
.aul Mlnil-am?' '"" '^'^^"^^ " '^^'^'""^ ^" '^"^^ ^* -'"
'• Un the contrary,-' said Louis XIV., seriously, " I am lau-h-
n.g so httle, M. de Manicamp, that I wish you to te f this
story to every one.
" The story of the hunt ?"
" Yes, just as you tohl it to me, without changing a single
word. Do you understand ?' ^
" Perfectly, Sire."
" And you will relate it ? "
" Without losing a minute."
"Very well. Now summon M. d'Artagnan. I trust you
are no longer afraid of him." ^
"Oh, Sire, since I am assured of your Majesty's kindness I
no longer fear anything." ^ ^
" Call him, then," said the King.
Manicamp opened the door.
"Messieurs," said he, « the King summons you."
D Artagnan, Saint-Aignan, and Valot returned
"Messieurs," said the King, « I sent for you to tell you that
M. de Manieamp s explanation is entirely satisfactory."
D Artagnan glanced at Valot on the one side, and at Saint-
Aignan on the other, as much as to say: -What did I tell
^^ The King drew Manieamp to the door, and in a low tone
"Have M. de Guiche take care of himself. Take good care
hat he recovers quickly. I am anxious to thank him as ,v.m
as possible in the name of all ladies, but do not let him repeat
Ins performance. ' ^
"Were he to , Ire a hu„Jrea Jcaths, Sire, he would act in tho
^:l
«
\ it \i
500
'/■///•; ViroMTE />/•; fiRAdKLnSSK.
'llie iPiuark was t(»rfil)lt>, 1ml as we li.tve siiid, Ijoiiis XIV.
lii\('(l the iiHPiise oi' Hattory, and in-nvidcd only that it were
given him, he was not very particular as to its (|uality.
"That is well,'' said ht>, dismissing,' Manii'am[). " I will sot-
Dc (Jiiiche niyscit', ami will force him to hear reason."
Manicamp withdrew backwards.
Then the King, turning to the three spectators of the scene,
said :
" M. d'Artagnan ? "
" 8ire."
" Tell nie how it happens that you were so short-sighted.
you whose eyes are usually so yood '.' "
" Short-sighted, Sire '.* "'"
" Ves."
" It must be the ea.se, since your Majesty says so, but in
what way, if yon please '.' "
" In regard to the affair in the Hochin woods."
"Ah!"
" Yes. You saw the tracks of two horses, the footjirints of
two men, you described the details of a duel. Nothing of the
kind occurred. It was pure imagination on your part."
*' Ah I ■' replied D'Artagnan.
'' In the same way you described the gallo])ing of the horses
and other indications of a struggle — the struggle of De
Guiche with a wild boar, nothing else; only the struggle was
long and terrible, apparently."'
" Ah : " said D'Artagnan.
" And when I think that for a moment I believed such a
story — but then you spoke with such confidence."
" As a matter of fact. Sire, I must have been short-sighted."
said D'Artagnan, with a good humor that delighted the King.
" You admit it, then ? "
" (lad, Sire, I am convinced of it I "
" So that now you see the thing — ''
"In quite a different light froin that in which I saw it half
an hour ago."
" And to what, in your opinion, do you attribute this differ-
ence ? "
" Oh, to a very simple thing. Sire. When I returned half
an hour ago from the liochin woods, I had to lighten me only
a wretched stable lantern — "
<' While now ? "
D'ARTAOyAy iVAS sMiSTAKIJX.
601
"Now I liiive all the waxen tapprs of your cabinet, and more
than that, your Majesty's eyes, which shine like the sun."
The Kinj,' and Haint-Aij^nan burst into laughter.
" It is just like M. Valot," said D'Artagnan, taking up the
conversation where the King had left off. " He imagined that
not only was M. de Guiche wounded by a bullet, but even
that he had extracted it from his breast."
" Indeed," .saiil Valot, « I — "
" Did you not believe that ?" said D'Artagnan.
'* I not only believed it,"' said Valot, " but at this very
moment I would swear to it."
" \\'ell, my dear doctor, you have dreamed it."
•• Dreamed it '.' "
" M. de Guiche's wound a dream ! The bullet a dream ! So
take my advice and talk no more about it."
"Well said!" cried the King. " D'Artagnan's advice is
good. Do not si)eak of your dream to any one, M. Valot, and
upon the honor of a gentleman, you will not repent of it.
(Jood evening, messieurs. A wild' boar hunt is a sad thing
indeed."
" Very sad," repeated D'Artagnan, in a loud voice, " a wild
boar hunt ! "
He repeated the words in every room through which he
passed, and left the chateau, taking Valot with hira.
" Now that we are alone," said the King to Saint-Aignan,
" what is the name of De Guiche's adversary? "
Saint-Aignan looked at the King.
" Oh, do not hesitate," said Louis, " you know very well
that I have to forgive."'
" De Wardes," said Saint-Aignan.
" Very good."
Then hastily retiring to his own room ;
" To forgive is not to forget," said Louis XI"V.
''ill
i i :
:>:\'' '■
.3
M-2
Tin: vicuMii: de un.iUELoNyK.
I
i
<
Mill'
■i
""' \
■-■i-i
A
.|
CHAPTER LXVI.
THE ADVANTA(JK OK IIAVINd TWO STKIN'OS TO ONE's BOW.
Manhami- left the Kin},''.s ajiartment delii,'hte(l at havuit;
snc(t'(»ilf(l so well. Oil reacliiiij,' tlit; foot ot the ,st:-irway he
IVlt iiiiuself .suddenly jiidied by the sleeve.
lie turned ami recof^Miized Montalais, who was waiting for
hiui in the passai^e, and who. in a mysterious manner, leaning
forward, said to him in a low tone.
"Come (jiiickly, monsieur, I beg you."
'•Where, uuulemoiselle V askeil Manieamp.
" A true kiught would not have asked me sueh a question,
but would have fcdlowed without need of explanation."
" Well, mademoiselle," said Manuamji, " I am ready to act
like a true knight."
" No, it is too late, and you do not deserve to. We are
going to Madame's 1 ("ome ! ''
"Ah," said Manieamp, '• let us go, Lhen."'
And he followed Montalais, who ran before him as lightly
as Galatea.
"This time,"' said Manieamp, as lie followed his guide, " I
do not think stories about hunting parties would be suitable.
We will try, liowever, and if need be — well, if need be we
will find something else."
.Montalais still ran on ahead.
"How tiresome it is,"' thought Jlanicainp, " to need one's
brains and one's legs at the same time! "'
At last they reaehed their destination.
Madame had just finished her night toilet, and wore a
most elegant dressing-gown; but it must be understood
that she had made this toilet before subjecting her-self to
the emotion now agitating her. She was waiting with visible
impatience.
Montalais and Manieamp found her standing near the
door. At the sound of their <teps Madame came for
ward.
"Ah," said .she, "at la.st ! "
" Here is M. Manieamp," said Montalais.
Manieamp bowed ceremoniously.
Madame signed to Montalais to withdraw. The young
Tii'o sij{/.\(,s To i).\i:'s no]
5();i
Kill uheyed. Madiime followv,! l,,.,- witli licr ."v.'s in
silence until the .lour dcse.!, tli.M. tm.nn- tc .Muiiicum.
she suid : '
" What is tiie mutter, and what d.. I liear, M. de .Maiiicai.ii) "
is some one wounded in the chateau •.' "
'• Ves, Madame, unloitunately. M. ,h' (iuidie."
" Ves, M. de (Jinciie," repeated the princess. '• In fact I had
heard U, rumored, but not contiri.ied. So it is really M (h-
Gui(die wlio has Iiad tliis misio tune '.'"
" Ves, Madame."
;; !)«> you know, M. de Man.camp,- said the princess, quickly,
that tiie Kiiif,' lias the greatest dislike tor duels •"■
"Certainly, Madame, but for a duel with a wild beast one
is not answerable to his Majesty."
" Uh, you will not insult me by snpposin- tliat I credit
the absurd story, repoited or some inexplicable reason
that M. de (uiiche was wounded by a wild boar \o no'
inonsieur, the truth is known, and besides the mconv'enience
ol Ins wound M. de (Juiche is runnin- the risk of h.sii.Lr his
liberty.' ^
" Alas, Madame!" said Manicamp, "I know that well, but
what is to be done ? " '
" Have you seen his Majesty ? "
" Yes, Madame."
" What did you say to him ? "
''I told him how M. de (Juiche had pone hunting ; how a
wild boar had rushed out of the Kochin woods; how M de
Guiche had fired at it; and how finally the enrage.! animal iiad
turned on De Guiche, killed the horse, and seriously wounded
the rider.
" And the King believed all that ? "
" Implicitly."
re'atl^'!^''" ^"'■^'''''^ ™^' ^^- '^^ ^I'^nif^amp, you surprise me
And Madame walked up and down the room, throwincr from
time to time a questioning look at Manicamp, who remained
impassive and motionless on the same spot. At last s>ie
stopped.
" And yet," said she, "every one here attributes this wound
to another cause."
" To what cause, .Aladame?" said Manicamp. " May I with-
out indiscretion ask this of your Highness ? "
;Vii
/•///■; VKnMii: i,i: r.i; \t;i:i nwr..
c
sun
it
'• \('ii a>k tli.it '.' \Hii, the iiitiiiiutc Irit'iiil dl M. ilc GiUflie !
Vdii. Ins cnuruliiiit ! "
"(•li. M;i(l;iiii(', liis iiitiin;it»' frifiiil, \ fs ; li t liis contiilaiit,
""■ '*•' <iiiiclic IS ii mail wlio may liavi^ sccicts, wlio m tact
lilies have tliciii; hut u liudncs tint tell tlioiii. I )i' (hui'Ih' isilis-
ci'frt, Mailamc."
" Well. Ill tiK-t cast' I sliall liavi> tlif |.l.'asuro of tfUiii^' yini
the M'cr.'ts wliiili M. (1,. (Jmclic keeps tu him.^elt," said
-Mailame. spii. lnHy, '• tor tlie Kiiij,' may i|iiestioii you a second
time, and il \ou weie to reiieat the same sloiy to him he mi"ht
not lie pleased with il."
" r>ut. Madame, I thiuk your lli;,diness is mistaken in rej^'ard
to the Kill- His .Majesty was peifectly satisfied with lue, I
lUdiiii--e Vdii."'
" III that case [lerput me to say to you, M. de Manicamp, that
thai , -roves only one tiling: that his Majesty is very easily
satisiied."
'• I think your Highness is wroni,' in holding this opinion.
His Majesty is known as a man nut satisfied except with very
good reason/'
*• And do you suppose he will be pleased with your officious
falsehood when he learns to-morrow that M. de (iuiche had, on
behalf of his friend, M. de Bragelonne, a (piarrel wliich ended
in a duel '.' "
"A (]uarrcl for M. de I'.ragelonne ? " said Manicamp, with
the most innocent expression in the world. "What is your
Highness doing me ti..' honor to tell me '.' "
•' What is there surprising in that '.' M. de Guiehe is super-
sensitive, irritable, and easily provoked."
"On the contrary, .Madame, I think .M. de Ciuiche is very
patient, and never super-sensitive or irritable except on very
good grounds."
" Is not friendshi]. a jiist ground ■' " asked the princess.
•'Oh, certainly, M idame, and particularly for a man like
liim."
*' Well, M. de Hragelonne is a friend of M. de Guiehe; you
will not deny that '.' "
" .V very great friend."
" Well, M. de Guiehe took .M. de Hrageloune's part, and as
M. de Hragelonne was absent and could not fight,, he fought
for him."
Manicamp began to smile, and shrugged his shoulders two
r\it> sTujxt.s ii)
<K\i:
lioW
oOc
Tlic (ji'iic- : if vuii aliso-
Mii
t iigit't' Willi me,
• T tliifif fiiiifs. ;is liiMcli ;is to snv :
liitf'ly insist — ■'
•'Well,- sai.l th.' piinc.ss. iiii,,;iti."iitl y, •• sp.Mk
" V<'s. yon. If IS cvhlfut thut v.ni .io
and that you have suincthin',' tu savV'
" I hav,. only ,,ne tinny l.rsav, Sludani.'.-
" ^ay It.''
"I •!" ..ot .n,.h..stan.l nno wunl „f ul.at v.,u Invn .lone n.e
the liunor ol .saym.i; to me." ' i <• uon. nie
-What: y..u.l„n..t nnderstan.l a uunl ahout this m,an-el
l)otw,.en M. de (Jnielu- and M. Ue Wanh-s :• • ..ied the ,,. u ss
oil the verge of hosing her temper. l"nutss,
-Manicanip was silent.
'■•V .piarrel." sli« ecntinue,!. - rau.sed |,v aeon- sation
."..re or less n.ahe.ou.s. more or l.ss well-foa.uied, i re^an to
tiie virtne ot a certain lady " '>,-,.i"i ro
M^nntu' ' '"'"" '"'"^ ' '"''' " '^"'^ ""^''"" ^'"■'-■' ^^-'^
'' Vou are beginning to nnderstand, are yon not ? -
Jonr Highne.ss will e.xcnse me. hnt I dare not-"
\ou dare not,"' .said Madame, exa.sperated. " Very ;veli
wait a moment, I shall dare" ^ '
Mie'Sld'of i^''^'"-'''''"'^ Manieamp, as ,f bewildered,
De ( aielnl ot what yon are going to sav "
"Ah, It wonld seem that if I were a man von would fi^^ht
"Of Ma.lemoisello de la Valli.Te ! " cried Maniramp sfirtin-
back s.uhlenly as thongh he had not had the 1 Jt ea ^f S
iiig that name uttered.
J^:J^'^ 7 '•" '"'""' ^^- '^^ ^r-^'-i^-'-^n'!'. that yon jnmp
^o . sa-1 Madame, uonioally. « Would you have the impe i-
tmence to question the virtue of this girl ^^ " ^
"But there -s not the least question in all tluG affair of
^rademoiselle de la Valliere-s virtue, Madame '"
'• \N liat ! when two men blow each other's bruins out for i
ailaii. and that there is no question at all of her " I did not
think you so good a courtier, M. de Mauicamp."
*' £ r\cii* 1-/-..... ..-,..1 ^1 1 .. .- I*
beg y
our pardon, Madame," said the
young man, " but we
"^
CHlITi
I
him.
506
Tffi-: wcoMTi-: /)/•; ni!A(;in.ox.\E.
arc fur IKmi iiiiiltist.iiuliu,!,' cacli otlici'. ^■|lll do hki the honor
to si)(';ik mil' hiii-iiii-i' Jiii'l I uniiarciitly am speakin-,' another."
•• I bej; your pardon."
" I tliiiii;,'lit 1 iiniliM-stood your Mi^diiifss to sav that .M^i.
de (Juiche and de Wardts I'oi.-lit on acfount of Madcnioistdle
dc hi Vallierc ■.'"
Vt
yes.
"(Jn ai'count of .Madenioi.selle de hi Valliero, was it not ■."'
repeated Manicanip.
" < >h. I do not say that "SL de (hiiclie took a personal intere.st
in Ma.leiMoiselle de hi Valliere, but tliat lie was aeting on
behalf of another."
" On behalf of another!"
" Come, .stoj) p'layin- the part of a man bewildered. Is it
not known here that .M. de i'>ia,;j:elonne is atHaneed to .Madem-
oiselle de la Valliere, and that when he left for London on
the mission with which tiie Kiu^,' entrusted him he charged
his friend, M. de tiuiehe, to watch over that interesting vomi"
girl •.' " s J r,
"There is nothing more for me to say, then. Vour High-
ness IS thoroughly informed."
"Of everyt'ung, I assure you."
Manicami) began to laugh, which exa.sperated the princess
beyond n;easure. As we know, she had not a very patient dis-
position.
"Madame," said the discreet INIanieamp, bowing, "let us
bury the whole affair, for it will never be entirely cleared up."
" Oh, so far as that goes there is nothing further to be done.
My information is complete. The King will learn that De
Guiche has taken up the cause of this little adventuress who
assumes all the airs of a great lady. He will learn that M. de
JJragelonne having appointed his friend M. de (Juiche guardian
in ordinary of the (Janlen of the Hesperides, the latter imme-
diately seized upon the Marquis de Wardes, who ventured to
lay his hand upon the golden apple. Now you cannot fail to
know, .M. de Manicamp, you who know everything, that the
King for his part covets this great treasure, and that perhaps
he will be disphMsed with .M. de (Juiihe for constituting him-
self its defender. Are you suthciently informed noWj'^or do
you want to know something further? " Tell me."
" No, .Madame, there is nothing further I wish to know."
•• Learn, however, for you must know this, M. de Manicamp,
TWO STRIXGS 70 0.\7;'.s- /loW.
m
that his .Majesty's indignation will be followed hv torrihle
ipsu Us. In princes with tempeianients like that of hi's Majesty
the lover's anger is a tempest.''
" Which you will calm, Machime."
" I : " excja-med tlu^ princess with a strongly ironical gesture
" I : and m what capacity ? '' . n ,
"As an enemy of injuslicc. .Madame."
"And it would he an injustice iuc,,rding to von to prevent
the King troni arranging his owu love affairs ;' '''
'• \\m will intercede, however, on behalf of .M. de (Juiche."
"You are mad, monsieur," said the princess, liau'ditily
" On tlie contrary, Madame, I am in full pos.session of mv
sense.s and I repeat that you will defend M. ue (Juiche to the
king.'
•• I ? ''
" Ves."
•' Why so ? "
- Hecause .M. de Guiche's cause is your own, Madame," said
Manicamp fervently, in a low tone. And liis eves l)righteiied
" Wliat do you mean '.' " ~ a ■
" I «:i.v, -Madame, that, m regar- O the defence undertaken
by M. de (iuiche m > . de IJiagelouue's absence, I am surprised
that your Highness ha." noL detected a prete.xt in the use of
La \ a 're s name.''
" A pretext? "
" Yes."
" But a pretext for what ^ "' stammered the princess, whom
Manicainp's look had just enlightened.
" Now, Madame," said the young man, " I ha\e said eiiou-rh,
1 presume, to induce your Highness not to accuse before The
King this poor De Guiche, upon whom will fall all the pent-up
wrath of a party bitterly opposed to your own."
" ''ou mean, on the contrary, I suppose. Unit all those who do
not care tor Ma.lemoiselle de la Valliere. and perhaps even some
ut tuose wlio do care for her, will be angry with the count " "
" Oh, Madame, will you push your obstinacy so far and re-
fuse to listen to the wor.ls of a dev ,i friend ? .Must I expose
myself to the risk of <lispleasing ; i ? Must I, m spite of iny-
sell, name the person wlio was the real cause of this (luarrel " "
" The person ? " said .Madame, blushim,'.
"Must I," continued Manicamp. " telT you how poor De
(ruiciie became irritated, furious, exasperated at all the reports
508
THE V/COMTE 1)E HHAGELOXyE.
i 1^' • •
m
%
^'Wi
now circulated .-ibout tliis person '.' Must I.— if you persist in
iK'in.LC obstinate ciiou^'h not to see my lueaning, and if respect
eonliuues to prevent my naming her, — must I recall to you
Monsieur's scenes with my Lord de Ihickingham and tlie insin-
uations concerning the duke's exile V Must I remind you of the
count's duty to jdease, to watch over, to protect this person, for
whom alone he lives, for whom alone lie breathes '.' Well, I
shall do so, and when I shall have recalled everything to your
mind jierhaps you will understaml that the count, his i)atience
taxed beyond endurance, having been harassed for some time
by De 'iVartles, tired uj) at the first disrespectful word the latter
uttered about this lady, and i>anted fo>' vengeance."
The jirincess hid her face in her Iiands.
" Monsieur, monsieur! " cried she, "do you know what you
are sayini:, and to whom you are speaking?"
'■ And so, Madame," continued Manicamp, as if he had not
heard the exclamations ot the princess, •• nothing will astonish
you now, neither the count's ardor in seeking this quarrel, nor
his marvellous tact in tiansferruig it to a quarter where your
interests would not suffer. That especially shows skilfand
coolness, and if the person for whom the C'omte de Guiche
fought and shed his blood really owes some gratitude to tlie
poor wouiuled man, it is ncjt iiK'^eed on account of the blood
hist or the pain felt, but for the steps lie has taken in regard to
the honor of one, an honor more precious to him than his own."
"Oh : '■ cried Madame, as if she were ahjiie. "Oh, .t'as )♦
really for me ".'"
Manicamp could }iause a moment. He liad bravely won a
respite. He breathed again.
Madame for her part remained for some time absoriied in a
.sad reverie. Her agitation was apparent from her quick
breathing, from the languor of her eyes, from the frequency
with which she pres.sed her hand to lier heart. With her. co-
quetry was not an inert (juality, but a fire which wa.s always
.seeking fuel and which found it.
" Well,"' said she. <> the count will have obliged two persons
at the .same time, for .M. de Hragelonne also owes much grati-
tude to M. de (Juiche, and with far greater reason, inasmuch as
everywliere and always Mademoiselle de la Valliere will be
regardeil as having been defended by this generous champion."
Manicamp realized that there was still some doubt in the
princess's heart, and his mind was sharpened by the resistance.
TWO STN/XCS TO OXE's lioW.
nOO
" A great service, in tnitli," said he, " the (.ne he rendered
MadeiiioiselJe de hi Valliere! A great service to M de
I.ragelouue ! The duel has created a sensation which is soiPe-
wliat ot a disgrace to this young girl; a sensation which nec-
essarily will embroil her with tiie viconue. The consequence
IS that l)c Wardes' bullet has had three results instead ot one
It destroys at the same time the honor of a woman, the hap-
piness ot a man, and jierhaps has wounded to the death one .' f
the best gentlemen in France. Oh, Madame, your logic is very
cold. It always condemns, it never absolves."
Manicamp's last words broke down the last doubt, not onlv
m the heart, but in the mind of Madame. She was n<. loicc^r
a princess with iier Rcnijiles, nor a woman with ever-recurrent
suspicions, but one whose heart had just felt the mortal chill
ot a stab.
" \Vouiided to the death ! " she gasped. " Oh, Monsieur de
Manicaiup, did you say ' wounded to the death ' '.'"'
Manicaiiip's only answer was a deep sigh.
"And so you say the count is dangerously wounded," con-
tinued the j)rincess.
" One of his hands is shattered, Madame, and he has a bullet
in Ins chest.
" Great God ! " exclaimed the princess, in feverish excite-
ment, "this is frightful, M. de Manicamp. A hand hal-
tered, you say '/ A bullet in his chest ? Oh, mv God ' \nd
that coward, that wretch, that assassin De Wardes did it '
Heaven is not just."'
Manicajup seemed a prey to violent emotion. He had
in short disi)layed much energy in the latter part of his dc-
rence.
Madame no longer thought of conventionalities; when
passion or anger or sympathy spoke in her, nothing could
restrain her. She approached Manicamp, who had sunk upon
a ctiair as if his grief were a sufKciently powerful excuse for an
intraction of the laws of etiquette.
"Monsieur," said she, taking his hand, " be frank with me "
Manic;" mp raised his head.
" Is M. de (iuiche in danger of death ? "
"Doubly so Madame. ^In the first place because of the
hemorrhage which has taken j.lac.-. an artery in the hand
tiaving br:.„ injured ; then because of the bullet in his chest
which the doctor fears may have injured some vital organ " '
^■
tiii
ti-
^^
610
77//; vicoMii: Di: nu.iaijLoxxE.
S^^
mm
I- I
"Then lio ii^ay di." '."•
" W's, (lie, .Madame, and without even tlie consolation of
knowiuf^ that you have lieard oi' Ids devotion. ""
" You must tell him."
" 1 '.' "
" Yes. Are you not Ids friend ? "
" 1 ? Oh, nn, .Madame. I shall tell M. de Guiche, if the jumr
man is still in a condition to hear nu'. only what I have seen,
and tliat is your eruelty towards him.'"
■■ I di, monsieur, you would not do anything,' so inhuman ? ''
'• Yes, ^radiinu', I must s])eak the truth, for nature is strong'
in a man of his a,i;e. The ]ihysicians are elever, and if hv chance
the poor count should survive this, 1 .should not wish him to be
exposed to dyinj,' from a wound of the heart after having
escaped a wound of the body.''
At these words Manicamp rose, and, with a lo'v bow, seemed
anxifjus to take leave.
" At least, monsieur,"' said ^Nfadame, stopping him with
almost a supi.uant air, "you will be kind enough to tell me
the condition of the patient. Who is tiie physician atten -ng
liim ? "
" He is very ill, Madame. His doctor is M. Yalot, his
Majc :y"s ])rivate physician. The latter is assisted by a
confrere, to whose house M. de Guiche has been carried."'
" What ! lie is not in the chateau .' "" said Madame.
" Alas. Madame, the poor fellow was so ill that he could not
be brought here."'
"Give me the address, monsieur," said the princess, hur-
riedly. " I shall send to ask after him."'
'• line du Feurre; a brick house with white shutters. The
doctor"s name is on the door."'
" Are you going back to the patient, ^[. de Manicamp? "
'■* Yes, Madame."'
" In that case you will do me a favor."
'" I am at yo; r Highness's orders."
" Do what -\u\i int(>iided to do ; returi' to M. de Guiche, dis-
miss those who are with him, and be kind enough to go away
yourself."
" Madame — "
" Ii<'t us waste no time in useless ex[i!anations. Such are
the facts. See in it nothing except wh.it is there, and ask
nothing beyond what 1 tell you. I am going to .send one of
TWO srn/xos to gy/rs how. 511
my la.lips, perhaps two. hecause it is lato. I ,!.. not wish th^m
t" se. you or, frankly, 1 ,i., „ot want vou to s ^t ^ T o "
ae srrupies yo,i ,.a„ „„,ierstan(l - you partic iH Iv V l
Ma.Mcamp. who divine everything " H'ticiilail^, .V. ,ie
teSL,,- ' *' ""''• "■'■"■'■ '* "'" •■tel)-. any |,„:
««::,.•: ™;:;',is;':;,;",T;"'» •->• «-" o„.e, ..„,„„ ,„, ,„,
thrs;?;:;"^ ="' "■ "'■ ■^'»"-»i>. -j »-' »' ti.e foot „t
" Yes, Ma(hinie."'
" Stay a moment."
Manioamp paused.
'' When you hear the footsteps of two women desrendi,,-
..o;j;f;,i','^e^:^ ■■;;:ts-;-::r^ pr- -- - ~
"Go, now."'
. Manicamp turned round, bowed a last time and loft uifi
III!
i
ti
<
512 Tin-: vicoMTF. de nnACELoxNE.
CIIArTEIl LXVII.
M. .MAMfOKM;. KI.KI'KIt OK THK UIX'KKDS OF KRA.VfE.
Two woiiH'ii \vniiii)0(l ill tlicir cloiiks, tlio upper portion of
their faces hidden beliiiid l)hiek velvet masks, timidly (oliuwed
Manicamp's steps.
On the tir.st floor of a room, heliind enrtains of red
damask, shone llie soft li;,'ht of a lamp placed on a low tahle.
At the other end of the room on a bed supported by spiral
columns, and hiiii.t,' with curtains like tliose whicli deadened
the light of the lamp, lay De (iuiche, his head raised on
two pillows, liis eyes bathed in thick mist. His Ion;.; black
curly hair, spread ove- the pillows, set off by their disorder
the young man's dr_\, i)ale temples. One realized that fever
was the chief occupant of the room. De (iuicdie wa3
dreaming. Through shadows his mind was following one of
those dreams of delirium which (Jod sends^along the road of
death to those about to fall into the strange void of eter-
nity.
Two or three drops of fresh blood still stained the floor.
Manican.p hurri«>dly ran up the stairs, but paused at the
threshold, gently pushed open the door, peered into the room,
and seeing that everything was (piiet, he advanced on tiptoe
towards the great leathern armchair, a specimen of furniture
of the time of Henri IV., and seeing that the nur.se had, of
course, fallen asleep, he awoke her and asked lier to go into
the next rocun.
Then standing by the side of the bed, he remained fr)r a
moment wondering whether he ought to awaken De (Juiche
and tell him the good news.
But since he was beginning t() liear the rustle of silken robes
outside th door, as well as the hard breathing of his two
companions, and since he already saw the pfutieie impatiently
raised, he passed around the bed and folhr.ved the nurse into
the adjoining room.
.\s soon as he had disappeared the curtain was raised and
the two women entered the room he had just left. The
one who entered first made an imijerious gesture to lier com-
panion, which ai)parently riveted the latter to a stool near the
door.
m
KEEPER OF THE liEmnDS OF FHAXCE. 'AZ
A.lvanciM^r Hrn,!y tuwanls tlie Lr-d, tho la.iv drew back
.e .•urta.ns aln,,,^ the nun pole an-l tluew their fhiek folds he-
Innd the l,eadWd. Then sh. saw the j.ale ta.e .,f the
'-""t: she saw h.s n,4,t ha.nl, wrappe.! in lii.en ,.t da//l,n.^
uln .ness outln.ed a-'ainst the oounterpane Hgured with dark
1 .ues n Inrh e.ivere.l a p„.ti.,n .,f the bed .,t pain. She shnd-
t:tZ:i::;S '''''''' lwh.h,..ew'la.,e.-upontii
The ,v..un,i,Mua>rs while breast was nneovered, as thou.^h for
I.eeo,, „,.djtau- tu a,d his breathing. A narrow band
listened the .Iress.ngs of the wound, aronnd whicdi a blu h
.•uele of extravasated bh.od was nuMvasin.^ in size. A een
s,i,h eseape.lthe lips of the yonn,^ won.an. She leaned
a^'a.nsttheeohunnof the bed and through the holes in Lt
iiKisk gazed at this sad sight.
A hoarse, harsh groan^ passed like a death rattle thron-h
he eount s set teeth. The tnaske.l lady seized the patie t's
lett hand, which burned like glowin<' coals
such 'th'-Ir lif r'" f" '"'''■ 1"'" ^'"^"^''^'"^ °" '^' ^'"^ ^«"«'t was
such that 1)6 Guiche opened h,s eyes and strove to return to
1. e by animating his glance. The Hrst thing he saw w s the
l.l.anton. standing by his bedside. At sight of that hi e es
.i.lated, but without any look of intelligence brighteiring
Thereupon the lady signed to her companion, who had
emamed near the door. .No doubt the lattel had learned he
lesson, for in a clear, lirni voice, without any hesitation she
I'ronounced these words: ^ .siuuion, sue
"M. leConite her royal Highness Madame wants to know
how you bear the pain of your w.aind, and to expres to you
hy my lips her deep regret at seeing y.Hi suffer " ^
At the word '• Madame," De (hiiche started ; he had not as vet
noticed the person to whom the voice belonged. H- naturallv
turne.l in the direction from which it calne. 1^; a the
;2.s ligiir ^^^^ ^"^' ^^ ^"-^^ ^^^^-^ ^- :t :^^
welk^'voice ^'^o "^^ 'IT'^' *° '"'' "'''^'^^^'"^ ■ "' ''« ^^^ed in a
room?-' '' "'" '""" ^"" '^'' '''''^^' >'"" i» the
voJ^e'^'^l'^f ,^:;iJ"^«'"' - -^ =^'--t unintelligible
" Well,-' said the patient, with an effort, " thank you Tell
Vol. II. — :a
i
+-
J,
iu
■V . "
m
m^
'Vy,
iU
riiK viroMTE DE nnAdij.owE.
W
d^
H|HK f
Madame tliar I no longfr rci,'rot (lyin.<; since slio has remeni-
beriMl nit'.""
At tlie wonl '• dyini,'.'" pronounceil by (hip so near dcatli, the
masked lady could not restrain the tears wliicii rolle<] down
her cheeks un(h'r lier mask.
If De (Jniche liad been in fuller possession of liis senses
he would have seen tin; tears drop on his bed like shining,'
pearls.
The lady, forf,'ettini,' that she wore a mask, raised her
hand to ilry her eyes, and comitij^ into contact with the rouL,di
cold velvet she tore it otf au^'rily and threw it upon the
floor.
At the nnoxj)ected sight before him whi( h seemed to issue
from a cloud De (ruiehe gave a wy and stret(died out his arms.
Hut all words died on his lips, and all strength left him. Jlis
right hand, which had followed his first impulse without calcu-
lating its amount of strength, fell back upon the bed, and
immediately afterwards the white bandage was stained with a
larger sjiot.
Meanwhile the young man's eyes grew dim and (dosed as if
he had already begun the strugglt> with the invincible Angel
of Death. Then after a few involuntary movements his head
fell back motionless on the 2)ilI()W. llis face had become
livid.
The la<ly was frightened, but this time, contrary to custom,
fear drew her. She leaned over the y(mng man, gazing at his
pale, cold face which she almost toutdied ; then she suddenly
im|)rinteil a kiss upon the left hand (d' De Guiche, who,
thrilled as by an electric shock, rallied a secoiul time, opened
wide his unseeing eyes, and again fell back uncon.scious.
" Come."' said she to her comi)aiHon, '■ we cannot remain
here any longer. I shall ('o something foolish."'
"Madame, Madame, your Highness is iorgetting you.'
mask."
" rick it up,'' replied her mistress, as she glided distracted
to the stair' 'st'.
As the ou,er door had been left half open the two birds of
passage sped through it, and with rapid steps returned to the
palace. One of them ascemled to .Madanu^'s ajiartments, where
she disappeared.
The other entereil the apartments (d' the maids of honor on
the entresol. Having rea(died lier loom, she sat do au before
KKEPKll or THE RECOIUKS OF FRA.XCE. f)!*)
|i tal)l... aiMl, u-.tl,„ut Kuiug hovs.U tin,., to l.roatl,,., ^v^ut..
tlie tollowiiig letter : > ■
" 77//,. rnyiu,;, M,„lame l,„s h,,;, to spc M. ,lr dnirhr
hr,r;,ln,n, ,.,,,. u,,, ,rrll on f/us side. Look out for murs,
iiml ah„,u- all hnni this /y,^/,./-." '' '' '
Tho„ she folde.l the letter lengthwise, an.l leaving her
o..m with every p.eeaution, .she erosse.l a eorridur whirl, led
to the apartments ut the ge,)tlen>en i,i Mun,sieur-s service.
ti, e. o '" r ,"■', '' '^"'"' '""'''■ ''■^''•■^'' ^^'t*-'^' knocking three
tunes, she slipped the paper ; then she Hed.
Ketunung t.. her own ru.un, she destroyed every trace of her
'"";"";''^' ^'^'•'"■- and of the writing of the note
In the ..ndstol the oernpation to which she was devotin-
lH-.self with the aforesaid object in view she saw on the table
;i e leI!lV' *"'f ';''"'''v=«'*y<li"^' to her n.istress's .lirections,
tn n T" "'■'' "'''' ^"-"•' '^"' ^^•'"^•'' «''^ >'^"' I'^-y'^tlen to
U-turn to its owner.
have fn," 't^ 'i'^'/" ^/""'^ "'^^ ^"'-''^ ^*^ •^'^ to-inorrow wliat I
lia\e forgotten to-day. '
She took the mask by its velvet cheek, and feeling her thumb
n.isk had fallen upon one of the spots of blood which, as we
iK v., said, stjined the floor, and from the black velvet e'xterior
h.id soaked through to the wliite cambric linin"
doii'hf llI'^'V" *'-^'^'=""*«^V^!.""^^''''^' ^■°'- °"^- '"^'^ders have no
doubt already rec.jgnized her from the various manoeuvres
we have de.scnbed. ;■ I shall not give back the mask now
t IS 00 precious; and rising she ran towards a maple-
wood box wluch contained several toilet articles and some per-
whi.? "' '""i '''"■'•" '^''^ ,'^^' """'^ •'^ t^^a^u'-e is not a thing
which one leaves exposed to diance " *'
nen,lT!!lff' ''^ '""'"f "^"^ . ^i'ence, and with a smile that was
lieculiarly lier own, she said :
•' lieautiful mask stained with the blood of that brave
.•hevalier, you shall be added to that wonderful collection o?
L. \ alhcre s and Raoul s ., tters, that loving collection indeed
t rh s """ I ^"'■"l* ''"'■' "^' -'^^ '^'^^"'T of France and
t mii M^"f "-V^ ■ ^"^ '''^" ^'" *« ^^- ^^lalicorne," con-
tmued Montalais, laughing, as she began to undress, "to that
m
I y
^i-
g
m
olH
'/■///•; VICOMTE Di: liUAdEl.oXSi:.
woitliy -^I- .Miilifornc," said she, l)l()wiii^ dut lior cukIIp,
'* wild thinks he was iiiaile only lo he iiiastcr ot Moiisiciii's
a|iarlnuMits. and wlioin 1 shall iiKikc Kf<'|K'r of thi' Kccdiils ami
liistorioi^'raipher of the lloiise of ISoiirboii and nf the tiist
houses of the kinj^doni. Let him coiiiplaiii now, that cross old
Malicoine I "
And she drew her curtains and ftdl aslee[).
CHAI'TKii LXVIII.
iBiiB '
TMi: .KHIINKY.
TiiF following: day liaviui,' been aj,'reed upon for the depar-
ture, the Kin;^'. at eleven o'cloek, with the (nucns and Madame,
deseended the <;reat stairway to his eoach, (irawu by six spirited
horses.
His suite in travellinj^ eostumes was waiting in the horse-
shoe court.
It was a brilliant spectaide, — this retinue of riding horses,
and coaches, and men, and women, surrounded by their attend-
ants, servants, and pages. The King entered his coach with
the two ([ueens. ^Iadame drove with Monsieur. The maids
of honor followed their e.\am[)le and took their places, two
by two, in the coaches assigned them.
That of the King started first, then came Madame's fol-
lowed by the others, according to rank.
The weather was warm; a light breeze which liad been
thought strong enough in the morning to cool the air, soon
became heated by the sun, which was iiidden by the clouds,
and no longer tiitei'ed through the warm vapor which rose
from the ground, like a .scorching wind blowing particles of
tine dust iu the faces of the travellers.
Madame was the first to complain of the heat. Monsieur
replied by throwing liimself back in the coach like a man
about to faint, inundating himself with salts and perfumes,
and uttering deep sighs the while. Whereupon Madame said
to him witli her most amiable expression :
■• Really. .Monsieur, I thougiit that on account of the heat you
would be gallant enough to leave the i:oach to me, and to make
the journey yourself on horseback."
'I in: .1(11 nxr.y.
b\\
fol-
.M;til;uiu! 1icj,mii to laiiLrh.
" y..u im^rlit take iny panisol," said she.
" And the troiihlc cf hnldin-' it as u-pII " r«,>i; i m
"My favcrite hay!- cried the prinee, ti\ i,„. tu reach thp
i::::;.:^rr;;;-i::;-!;,:=;:,;;;;;;-----
eon.c,'"' '"'^ ^^I'^'i'une, ..y.Hu-hokse hul by M. de Mali-
^^^';1W. boast!" replied the pnnce. MIow wann it must
And with tlipse words he closed his pvp<» liL-o ., . i
I'ou'ever, but to tiiink at her ease. ^ ' ^'' "''"'''''
In tiie meantime tlie Kin<' on tliP fi.,..>f .„,... c ^-
ove,. ,,„e,„.,,i„, aL a".ta hi , e ;°;„''':»^-r, "f""'
-r the ,„,,„, (3,ree,,:':^/\:;;,;,xr"r£«
i""k«l |ile:ise,l, a„<l, „l,g„„,„, "hi Ino ,i 1 H, ' Ki^" '""^''^
^H^
c
111
I
Rltti
ttlBl
«1
ft
r)l8 '/v//.- viroMir: in: hiimiiilosse.
rc>niiiii)^' Iho coiiviTSatioii just ;i-i tli." 1\ in-, iihsdibfil in liifl
ipwii Ihtm^^'lits, \v;i^ iic.^'iiiniiiL,' In think omt lii> si'crct ii1t;u'h-
II, cut. All tins, the attfnfniis dl' ihf (.liifcn. tin' tciisiiij:
of Aiui.' (it Anstria, t'li.lrd hv litccinmi;,' iinl)f.u;iblt> t.i tlio
Kill',', who Wid not know how lo contidl thi; lon:.,Mni,'s of his
llClllt.
H,. c phiincil first of th.' hc;it, wlu«!i was lacivly a juvl-
Uilf to othtT •■oiniihuiils. hut hf ili.l it wit h sntlicicnt tait to
tlirow Mari.i 'iVrt-sa off tlic tiark. Taking,' wiiat lit- s.iid liter-
ailv. she bt';-;aii to fan hnii with her ostrich iiluines.
Uut the lu-at passcil away, aiul l.onis ht':4aii to coinplani of
crimps anil stiffness in his' limbs, ami as tue coach stopiicd to
ehaii'.,'*' horses the (>ueeii said:
" Do you want me to ^'ct ont witli you? My liini)s are tired
too. W'e can walk a little, then the coach will overtake us
and we can i,'et into it a^'aiu."
The Kin<; frowned. It is a hanl test to which a jeahms
Woman puts her faithless husbanil, when, akhou,-,di herself a
prey to jealousy, she watches herself so carefully that she
gives no pretext for aii;.,'er.
Nevertheless the Kiu^' could not refuse ; he accepted her
ofTer, stepped from the carriage, i;ave his arm to the Queen,
and walke.l a short distaiiee with her, while the h.orses were
beiii.i,' (diaiii;ed. As he walked along he threw an envious
glance at the courtiers, who were fortunate enou-h to have
come on horseback.
The Queen soon saw tliat walking pleased tlie King no
more than driving. She asked, therefore, to be taken back to
the carriage.
The King led her to the door, but did not get in with
her. lie walked back a few steps and looked .ah)iig the
line of coaches for the one in which he took so lively an
interest. At the door of the sixtli appeared La Valliere's fair
face.
As the King stood motionless, lost in thought, without no-
ticing that everything was ready and that they were waiting
only "tor him, he heard a few feet away a voice addressing
him in the most respectful t(me. It was M. Malicorne, in the
complete costume of an e(iuerry, holding over bis left arm the
bridles of two horses.
•• Your Majesty asked for a liorse ? " said he.
<' A horse I Have you one of n; y horses ? " asked the King,
-r; .y:^^-:^,f^.*,
Till-: jomsEY
.01 !♦
trviii;,' to iviiiciiiIht Hi,. :,'rritl,'iii;in, wliu.sc l.i,(. was ikiI \ ct
taiiilli.'ir to liiiii.
••Siif." if|ilifil .M;ilic(.iii(', '• I luivf at Ica^t a Ihum. whirli is
at yoiir M ijcsty's service."
And .Malic.iino iioiiited to Monsit'ii- l,a\ wIim h Maoaiac
had nliMTv.'d. It was a sii|mt1) uivati, , ui.i'iy .aiiaiiMincd.
" l'>iit tliat is not one ot lay lior^f , iiiohmcui-," >aid
Louis.
"Sin', it is tioia liis roval lli-iuifss's ^tallies, lint Ins royal
Hij^'liiicss docs Mot ride u iicii it is -o warm."
'I'lic Kill- iiiadi' ho rf|dy, lait lia^tiiy a|i|.i(iarli,.d the hor.-c,
wliicii was pawiiij,' the ^'loiiiid.
.Maliconu' sl.l•aIl,^' lorwaid to hold the stiiiiij,, hut his Mai-
I'sty was already in the saddh'.
Ke.storcd to ^'(M.d humor l,y tins rortunate ( haiict', liif Kinj,'
loile smiliiiirjy to the coach of tlic ladies, wiio were waiting'
for him, and in spile td .Maria Teresa's lueoccupied manner,
said :
"1 have found this liorse and am K"i"^' ><> take advaiita^'e
ol it. 1 was stifled in the coa(h. Au revoir, mesdames?"'
Then hendiii!,' gracefully over the enrved neck of his mount,
he disapiieared.
Anne of Austria leaned out to look after him. lie did not
j:o far, hut havin- reached the si.\th earriaj,'e, he reined in his
horse and took olf his liar.
He sainted La Vallicre. who at. si>,'lit of him t^ave a little
cxy of surprise, at the same time hlushiiii,' with jileasuie.
Montalais, who oeciiiued the other seat of the coach, made
the Kinj: a low bow. Then, like a tactful woman, she jne-
tended to be very much occupied with the landscape, and with-
ilrew into the far eorner.
The ecjiiversatioii between the Kini,' and La Vallicre bej,'an
like the eonver.sation of all lovers, by elo(pieiit looks and b"v a
tew words devoid of sense. The Kinc; explained how w.-inu
he had telt in his carriage, so niuch .so that a horse sfened a
blessing to him.
"And." he added, "my benefactor is a very intelligent man,
tor he .seemed to know just what I wanted. Now, I have one
fnrther wish, and that is to know the gentleman who .so
elev.-riy served his King and extricated him from the tiresome
position in which he was."
During this colloquy, the first words of which had roused
III
iY_
^^^^
620
Tifn vicoMTE /)/■: i'>i:.{(!i:iA)\NK.
^m
Lor, Montalais Icaiu'd over ui siidi a way as td iiicet the Kiiii,''s
glaiico as lie tiiiislicd liis rt'inark.
Tlic it'siu'o was lliat Ijoiiis l(inki>(l as mucli at licr as at La
Valliero, and slic could supiKise tl t it was slio tn wIkhii tlio
nuesticn was put. and fonstMiuo.itly tin; ou*' who nii-lit l)c
allowed to answer; tlierefnie slie s.iid :
'•Sire, the horse your Majesty is ridin.Lj is one of .Mon>ieur"s
which was led by one of his royal Hi;,diness's Lrentlenien."
'• And what is the j^entlenian's name, A you please, madem-
oiselle '.' "
" M. de Malieorne, Sire."
The name produced its usual effect.
" ]\Ialicorne '.' '' repeated the Kin;,', smiling.
" Yes, Sire," rejilied Aure. " See, it is the gentleman gallop-
ing at my lel't," and she jiointed out Malicorne, who witli a
pious air was riding by tlie side of the coa, h, knowing very
well they were talking of him at that very moment. bi,t siiow-
iiig that lie knew it no more than as if lie were ileaf and dumb.
'• Yes," said the King, '• he is the one ; I lemciiibcr his face
and liis name," and Loids glanced tenderly at La Valliere.
Aure had nothing further to do. She had let fall Mail-
corne's name, the s(jil was gooil ; there was nothing left but to
let the name grow and the event to bear fruit. Consefpiently
she threw herself back in her corner, feeling she had the riglit
to make to ^L de Malicorne as many agreeable .'■'.giis as she
c'ouhl, since AL de .Malicorne had had the good t(,rtune to
please the King. As will be readily understood. Moutalais
■was not wrong, and Malicorne, with his ouick ear atid sly look,
interpreted the words:
" .Vll goes well," the whole being accompanied by a panto-
mimic action which contained the semblance of a kfss.
"Alas, mademoiselle," said the King at last, "the libert"
of the country is about to cease. Your duties with Madame
will be more ligomus. and we shall not see voii anv more.''
" Your .Majesty is too fond of .Madame," rcjijied Louise,
"not to come often to sec her, and when your .Majesty passes
through the room "'
" Ah !" said the King, tenderly, as he gradually In-.x^.^d his
tone, " to perceive is not to see, and yet this apparently would
be enough tor you."'
Louise did not answer. A sigh filled her heart, but she
stifled it.
t on
hav
THE JOi'RSHY.
e srpaf control over yoursolf," suid the Kiii'
621
La V'iiilitTc sill i led .sail
i\',
rse the f-treii,i,'tli in loviucr," hp ,.o„tiniie,l, " and 1 shall
liii'ss (Joil for luivin;,' 'dveii it t
La ValliAi
o VOll.
o wati silent, but raised on the K
love
ing eyes full of
Then as if dev
oiiied l)v that bnrnintr trl
orelieai
rider, whose plnne's swaved in tlie I
that hnrning glaiiee, Louis passed
1, and pressinj,' both knees against
it-re
some
liis liiind across his t
ius Jiorse, iiiadn liim bouml several steps forward. La Vail
'eanin- lurk with eves half closed gazed at the haiiil
)ice/.e. .She admired his
gracefully rounded ti-uic ; his limbs delicate and
pressed against the
bv his beautiful bl'
iierN'oiis.
lior.^c s sides
e's sides; the regular profile outlined
iiils, revealing oceasionaliv his siiuill.
well-formed ear. In f.u-t. the poor girl was iu 1
lighted in the fact.
After a moment the King returned t
.ove, and ue-
•Oh
Slid lie,
do vou not see 1
o her .ade.
low
your silence pierces mv
heart? nh. mademoiselle, liow pitiless yon would be if
ri'solved to break off
langeable. In fact, I fear tl
>.-ue, 11. .w puiu'ss yon would be if you
with any ipiie ; and then. I think you
you.
•s great love whii h I have for
" (Jh, Sire, you are mistaken
love, it will be for alway.-
said La Valliere, " if I ever
If you will ever love!"' cried tl
you do not love now, then ? "
She hid iier face in her hand?
" You see,'' said tlie King. '
yon; you see you are changeable, caoi
111* ' ' ' I
le King, sadly. <-\Vhat!
that I am right in aci
nsiiH
liap
iciiais, a coquette per-
Oh
me.
, no," .said she, "rea.ssure younself, Sire; no, no, no"'
Jinise me, then, that you .vill always be the same to
'Oil, always, Sire.
That
you will never sh
ow any of that severity which
breaks people s hearts, any of that sudden change of feel
which would kill me.
intr
■N(
o : oh. no
"Wei' list.
I lik
uarantee of an oath, that i
e promises. I like to place nnder tl
lie
evervthii!''
I!'' w
Inch inte sts my lu
s. under the jirolection of God,
me, or rather swear to lae, that if, in the life
irt and n.y love. Pi
•oir.ise
we are about to
IP
N i
1 1 -
",^,il^:V-
f>-2-2
Till-: v/fi-M/i: Di: nn \(;i:ij>xyi:.
%l
t
takfi up, — a litr lull of sacrificfs, of mystoiips, of grief, c'
(lisaiipuiiitnuMits and nii.s;iii(l('ist:ui(liiii,'s — swear to mo that if
\vt> (Ict'cive or iiiisiiii(lcrstaiul oadi other, if we make mis-
takes, and that would be a erimo in iove, — sivear to nie,
Louise — ■'
Siie shook in every liiub. It was the first time she had
lieard her name thus uttered by her n)yal lover.
Louis took off his glove and held out his hand.
" Swear to me." he continued, " that in all our (puirrels,
never shall v/e let one night pass by, if we have had any nii.s-
luulerstanding, without a visit or at least a message from one
of us to liring consulation and rest- to the otluu'.'"
La Yalliere took between her icy liands the burning liand of
lier lover, and pressed it gently, until a nu)vement of the
liorse, frightened by the noise an(i proximity of the wheels,
snatched its rider from this haitpiuess.
She liad sworn.
*• IJcturn, Sire," then said she, '* return to the (jueens. I
foresee a storm yonder which threattuis my jieace of mind."
Louis (obeyed, saluteil ^Lulemois(dle de Montalais, and gal-
lojtcd iway to rejoin the (^)ucen's coach. As iie passed Monsieur
he saw that the latter was asleep.
AL\dame, however, was not. She said to the King :
" What a fine horse. Sire ! Is it not Monsieur's bay ? "
The young (^)ueen merely remarked :
" Do you feel better, my dear Sire '.' "'
CHAPTER LXIX.
■WOMAN- S Tliir.MI'ir.
OxPK in Paris, the King attended meetings and worked
duiii'g a part of the day. The (,)ueen renmined in her ajiart-
ments with the (pieen motlier, and did nothing but weep after
she had said good-iiye 1(j Louis.
'• .\h. mother, the King no longer loves me. Alas! What
will become of lue '.' "
" A husb;nid always loves such a woman as you," replied
Anne of Austria.
-^Sk-
WOMAX'S TItll\,!>/!.
r>28
♦'The time may come, niothor, when lie will love S(jiiie t^ihv:
woman."
'• What, do yon mean by love '.' ''
"Oh, aiwa/F thinkiu!^^ of one per.s<in, and al\va3S wantinj,' to
be with her." ,
■' lla\u you nnticeit that the Kin,<r does that sort of thiii^' '.' "'
ahked Anne of Austria.
" Xo, .Madame,'' .saiil the young Queen, hesitatin-ly.
" Y'ou see very well, .Maria I'"
" And yet, mother, you must admit that the Kin.i,' ne.<,'lects me."
"The Ki' ;, m.v (huighter, helon-s to iiis whole kin-dom."
" A'id .'• ■ is why he no lun-er Ir-Ioh^'s to me. Tiiat is why
I shall i,n in the position of so many queens, deserted and
ne-lected, while love, .i^hny, and hoii('.r are f.u- others. Oh,
mother, tiie Kin.c: is so handsome.' How many will say they
love him I how many must love him ! "
" It is seldom that wonu-n love tlie man in the Kinj^. But
if sueh .should be tiie ease, and 1 doubt it, Maria, wish rather
that these -vom-n may really eare fi.r your husband. In the
first place the devoted lo\c of a woman is an element of raj.id
dissolution fnr 1 he love of tlie Io\ u'; and then by force of lov-
in<r, the mi.^tress loses all inlliuMue over the lover, whose
})ower and wealili she does not wish, but Wiu> wishes his love.
Wish, therefore, that the King may not love, and that his
mistress may love him much I "
"Oh, mother, what power there is in deep love!"
" Yet you say you are deserted."
"That is true, 1 was wrong. IJut, mother, there is '.ne
thing 1 could not stand."
" What is that '.' "
" A h.«j.'|y choice, a household beside our own, a family he
may have Ly anotiier woman. Oii, if ever 1 were to see'chil-
drei: (I* her than mine that belonged to liim, I should die ! '"
".Marui! Maria I"' rejjlied the (pieeti mother, with a smile,
as she took the young Queen's hand, " remembc' what I am
going to s'y, and let it always be a consolation to you: The
King cannot have a dauphin without you, yet you could have
one without him."
At these words, which she accompanied with an expressive
huigh. the queen nmtiier left her daughter-in-law and went to
see .Mailame. wj; )se arrival in the large cabinet had just been
announced '. .• age.
if
.'f
Pi
■"•'■r^i.
524
rnr vicomte />/■ n/i.K.ici.owi:.
Miulaiiio Iiad scarcely taken tinip to iiiidross. Slio slmwed
an au'it:iti'(l lace, whii'li lu'tniypd a iinijcct she w.is iilaimiii!,'
in hfv iiiiiid. tlie result ot wliich trcMiMed her.
" I came to see," saiil slie, ■• it your Majesties leh any fati^'-ue
from our littU' journey '.' '" •
"None at idh" said tlie ([ueeii mother.
" A litth'." said Maria Teresa.
" I, mes(himes, have Ijeeu trouhh'd on one aeeount.'"
" Wliat aeeount '.' " asked Anne of Austria.
" Tlie t'atii^ue the Kin^' must luive fell from ridiiii: horse-
back as he did."
"That does the King i,'ood.''
" And I sugj,'ested it to him myself," said ]\[aria Teresa,
turninj:; l>ale.
Madame made no reply; hut one of her own jieculiar smiles
apjieared on lier lijis without ijassiny to the rest of her face.
Then at once ehan;,nii,t,' the conversation she remarked :
" We shall tind Puis the same as wi- left it : alwavis full of
intrii^ues, plots, tiirtutions."
" IntriL,Mies ! What inlri,L;ues '.' " asked the queen mother.
" A <.jreat deal is said about .M. foaquet and Madauu' I'les-
sis-l>elliere."
"Who in that way rais(>s the number to ten thousand I"
replied the (pieen nmther. •• l!ut the plots, if yuu please!"
" We have trouble with Holland, ai)parently.''
" How so '.' "
"Monsi-ur told me about the medals."
"Ah I" cried tli(< youn<,' Queen, "the medals coined in Hol-
land, on which is a cloud i)assiiig over the sun of the King.
Vou are wr(.ing to call that a plot; it is an in-ult."
" So contemptible that the King ignores it," replied the
(pieen mother. •• Hut what were you saying about flirtations '.'
Hid you mean to rel'er to Madame d'Olonne '.' "'
"Oh, no, I was thinking of some .ine nearer home."
'■ Ctisd (If iisfi'i/," ' murmured the (pieen mother into her
daughter's ear, but without moving her liiis. Madame heard
nothing and continued :
" Do you know tht^ frightful news ? "
"Oh, yes, .M. de (iuiche's wound."
'• And you. like every one else, attribute it to an accident he
Uict with in huntin^r '.' "
* '* In >uLir huiiof."
WO.\r. i.\\s TlillMI'H.
525
" Wh
Mad.uiie (hew ncai
y, VPS," said li. Ml (]iiccns, iiiteiestod this ti
me.
'riicic was a diitd," said she, in a 1
Ah
said Ai'iie of Austria, sev
wore
.sounded
1 "duel," f'(il)idden iu Fran
()\v tfino.
ert'Iy, in wliose ears the
•e since slie iiad rei>,'ned,
A deploialile due! whicdi came w
two (it iiis best friend
W
liat w:i tiie eaufte of it
s, and tlie Iviu'' tw
I'v near <'ostin''
M
oiiMeur
O L'OOI
1 se
sked tl
rvants.'
le
yuiin^' Queen, ani-
anie, triumphantly. " T!ie t;
en-
mated iiy some seeiet instinct.
"Flirtations," rc])eate(l Mai , ,...„,.i., ^ .^ ,,,.„
tlemen were diseussin- the virtue of a "ladv";" oiie'thouVht That
I alias was notlun- beside her; the other claimed that tlie
lady resend)led \enns incitin- Mars; and the gentlemen eer-
t;iinly fought like Hector and Acdiilles."
"Venus inciting .Mars'.'" .said the voting Queen in a low
tone, not daring t,. ask f(U' an explanation of the alle.'orv
MVho is the lady!-' asked Anne of Austria;' sharply.
iou .said, r Ihdieve, that she was a m;;i(l of honor •'
"Did \:'- said Madame.
" i'e.s, 1 thouulit I heard you sav wlio it was."
hous'!^'*-"^'"^ ^''"^^ ti''it such a "woman is fatal to a royal
" Is it Mademoiselle de la Vallicre .' " .said the queen mother
les, It IS indeed that ugly little thing."'
" I th(jught she was affianced to a gentTeman who is neither
— as 1 .suppose — M. de (Juiche nor M. de Wardes '"
^'That is pos.sible, Madame."
The y,,ung Queen t(n,k up apiece of embroiderv, which she
began to unnp with affe.'Led calm, a calm belied bv the shak-
lug o* her hngers.
"Waat were you saying of Venus and of Mars?" pursued
the queen mother; " is there a Mars? "'
"She boasts of one."
"You say she boasts of one ?"
" That was the cause of the duel."
"And M. le (ruiclie supported the cause of Mars?"
" \es, cert. duly, like a good servant."
" A good serv.u.t ! •' cried the voung Queen, forgettiii" all re-
serve m givn-g vent to her jealousv ; " servant of whonf""
'■ <»t .Mars," replied Madame. •■ Tnable to be deCeinied ex-
cept at the expense of tins Venus, M. de Guiche apheld the
H
■|:' U
'■•>-'*iV
k?*
5-Jt;
THE VirOMTl-: DE nrAdEf.o.WE.
Ml
JWi
I ^ .mtiEiiMai! j
til
ahsdliitc imiocpiico of Mais, and iiodouht atliriiit'd tliat Venus
boasti'd (iT it."
'■ And .M. (If Wardcs,"' saiil Anne oi Austria, calmly,
" spicad tlif n'|i(iit that X't'inis was rii,'lit.""
•• Ail. l>i' Wardi's," tliiiii<,'lit Madame, "you will |iav dearly
for that wound iiiiii<'teil uiioii the noblest ot men I "
And slit> hej,'aii to aecuse I )e Wanles with all jio.ssihle fury,
tints pawie^' the woundeij nian's debt and her own. with the
certainty that she was (ausiiiLT her enemy's future ruin. She
said so mueh aliout it that had .Manieamii heen there he would
have re,i,'retted haviiiL,' served his friend so we!!, since it
brou;,dit alxiut tht> nun of his unfortunate enemy.
" Well." said Anne of Austria. '• I see but one ditKcultv in
all this, and that is La Valliere."
'I"ho yoiiii!,' t^ueen picked up her work again with marked
Coldness.
Madame listened.
" Is not that your opinion '.'" asked Anne of Austria. " Do
you not attribute to her the cause of this (piarrid and dutd '.' "'
Mailame replied by a -csturi' \vhi(di was neither au atlirma-
tion nor a denial.
•• I do not understand, then, what you told me in rei^ard to
a tlirtatiou," resumed Anne of Austria.
"It .s true,"' Madame hastened to say, "that if the young
girl had not been a coquette. Mars would not have been'inter-
ested in her."
Tlie word -Mars" brou-l:*-, a jiassiug blush to th- youni,'
Queen's cheeks, but nevertheless she went on wnth the' work
she liad begun.
'* I do not wish men at my court to fight one another in auv
such way.'' said .\nne oi Austria, phlegmatically. ''That cus-
tom was. perhaps, useful at a time when imljility, divided, had
no rallying point save gallantry. Then women — whose rule
was absolute — had the tuivilege of testing the bravery of the
gentlemen m various ways; but to-day. thank (Jod, theie is but
one master in France. To him is due all strength and thouurht.
I will not allow my son to be deprived of a single one of his
servants."
She turned to the young (,)ueen. •• What 's to i)e ilone about
this La \'alliere '."" said slie.
'' La \'alliere '.' " said the Queen in a[)parent surprise ; '• I do
not know ih.e name."'
ill
riiE rinsT
(i'MinRL.
OZi
And tliis reply
<iiiti'il
"iii.V to i-iival li
was accoiiipaiijcil hv
i>]]0.
of those icy smile
hirt
■Mailaiiit^ licrst'lf \v
IS
and
,'reat
m
indo; nevcitlielt
pinicrss, jrreat in intellect.
tTusiied
til
ler. a III!
itlier herself to^'cil
as ohliyed to wait
♦^ weijifht of tl
in
le answer
ler.
a Jiionienl m order to
■'fnuiatl'ease •'■;''' 'I'^^'lr' -^'T''' ^''^ ^=^'''' ^'^^ a how.
.s vor' >;;:•, "■'''';"' ■^''^:?'^ ^*''''^' '" the same tone. >< it
IS .\oin arrair, sister, not om-.s.
" ';"'l"" nw," said .\nn<- of .Vnstria, '• it is mv affair V,„l
uu.lei^,and ,,e,.f..,,ly.-' she eontinue,! ^ivin^^^, ; ,,,i^ f
"■lli^ent uok, .. why .Madame has tohl me tins.''
-What emanates from y„„, Madanie,- .aid the Fncrlish
l"".eess, " eomes from the lips (,f Wisdom - ^
T.™'^";!;;;" ?'hf"' 'T^ ^" '-^^ "^-' --'try/' said Mana
Hsa, gentlv, "she must he j^nven a pension ''
;; trom my money-hox .' - erie.l Madame, .pdeklv.
-NO, Tio. .Madame,' inteniipted .Vime of \iisfri.. .. »i.^
" i^iit a moment to your own room
CHAPTER LXX.
THE FIRST QU.\UKEL.
JLJthi'^:i:::'r^ ''" apa,.tn,ents of the queen mother
s li , ■ . T • "''^T ^^ '* ^^'^'^ '^ '"^^tler relatin.^ to lu^r
•V ;.e I . ,^ p' ''-T^ *'" '^"<'^^" ■"'•tJ'*''' I'^-l "ever been
Vnne ? ts^:h";) e rt^ r' '"■^'"^ ^^^ ''"--^ autlmri v ^
to whi i 1 ' ^''\'^ ^''"^ ^^''t'' ''^'^ «"ly f"r...ul dealing
to which her own eomp a sance and the v/ul- ,.f ,,'''"'"«'
pnncess required her tJ give all ;:' JleV,";' "' ''" "'^•"*
^i^^
r)2H
77//; VKoMii: i)i: iii;.\<;i:ij)\\i:.
tftixi
t
mff
Slip ;ulv;iiico(l, tlicrcldri', t() tlif i|ii('(mi iiidtluT willi that calm
sweet smile which was hiT cliief cliaMii.
As siie (lid iidt aii|ii(ia(li near eiidULjli, Anne of Austria
sit,'ne(l td her td (■(Jinc to her cliair. Then Madame returned
and in a jierlectly calm manner seated herself lieside her
motiier-in-law and took n|> the wurk l)e;^'un hy Maiia Teresa.
Instead of the Cdmmand she had ex|ie(ted to receive at
once. La Valliere pen'eived this preandde, and Idoked curiously
and rather anxiously ai the faces of lidth jirineesses.
Anne was deep in thdU'.,dit. Madame preserved an alfee-
tatidii of indifference which would have alarmed the lea^t
timid.
"Mademoiselle." said the queen mother, suddenly, without
even thinkim,' of niddci-atuiL,' her Spanish accent, a thiui,' she
never failed to ilo unless she was an,i,'ry, " come a little nearer,
that we may talk to you, since every one i- talkini,' about
you."
" .Mjout me '.' " cried La \'alliere. f,M'owin;^' ])ale.
'•Pretend Udt td know it. pretty: have you heard of the
duel between >L de (luiihe and M.'de Wardes '.' "'
"Heavens. NLidame ! iiev.s of it canu; to me oidv yester-
day," replied Li Valliere, t laspin„' her hands.
•' .\nd ilid you not know the ■ ews in advance ?"
" How should I have known about it, Aladijue ?"
" Because two men never fi{,'ht without a motive, and be-
cause you must have known the rea.soii for the hatre<l of these
two rivals.''
" I am absolutely if^norant of it, Madame."
" Per.severin^ denial is rather an ordinary mode of defence,
and you who are clever, mademoiselle, on^dit to avoid the com-
monplace, (live somethini,' else."
" Ah! ^Lldame. your ^Lijesty fri'^htens me wiin that cold
glance. Have I ha ". the misfortune to iiicuryoiir displeasure '.' "
Madame be ,-an to lauj,'h. La Valliere looked at her in
amazement.
Anne resumed :
" My dis])leasure I Incur my disi)leasure I Vou cannot sujv
pose such athinj:;. Mademoiselle de U Vallit'ie: I have to think
of jieoide in order to have them incur my displeasure. I think
of you only because jjeople are taikim,' u !,'()od deal about yon
just now, and I do ik t like the ladies of this Court to be
talked about."
Tin: iii:sr i{i\ni;E[..
629
•■ Vuur Majpty Iiuhmis ,„.> l,y trllin^. „„. ,.f this.' irplifl La
\.illu.n., iri^'l.t.Mi.Ml; -iMit I ,ln UMt .nMl,.,.st;iM.l wl'v iIm-v
■<li(iiilil lit. iiitcrcstcii ill me."
fei"ul^^-!ill'"^ '"" ^*'" •^""' ^'""'' *^^' '^^' ^'"''''"' =^"f'"i'^ed tode-
•• Vcs He is :i kiii-ht. and beautiful adveuturcssos like
i;> liav.. k.n-hls cnu.diiu- iauccs for them. I d.'t.vst tlio hattle-
tiH.I, --an,! adv,.nturos,.siKHMaily. TluT.-f.-ir v.m, „M,st .sutf.M- "
La \alli.T..kn.dt before the .jucen. who tunicd li.u- Imck on
IHT. hlu. hdd out h. ,• iKiuds to MadauH., who lau.^dH..! in her
A fcidiuf; of pride awoke in her.
"Mesdiunes;- sai.l she •. [ ha.-,, asked you the nature of my
•Twne \ our Majesty ou-ht to tell me, but I notice that your
Ma.iesty coM.lenins me without giving n,e time to justify my-
U-!".;VV"'"ri'','""^ "^' •^"'^'■''''' ""*^^^ "'^'^^t line j.hrases!
What beau itul sentuuents .' This girl is the Infanti. one of
the aspuants to the great Cyrus; she is a well of tenderness
i^H <• uToic sentences. It is easy to see, n.y pretty, that our
laind IS iinpr()ve<l by e<.nta(t with eiowned heads'-'
La \ all.ere was cut to the .juiek. .She be,.une as white as a
Idy and all her strength forsook her.
'• I want to tell you,"' resumed the queen, scornfullv "that
il you <.ontn,ne to foster sueh ideas von will so mo,t fy the
.vstof us won.en that we shall be ashan.ed to be seen near
been t ,">"";'''"' ""^'''^'''''ir"'!^- '^3' the way, what have I
heentold.' You are bet rotlied. I believe ?"
new\.yin"'"'' "'"'^'■•'''"^'^ ^''^* '*^^''"Ss "^^ I'^r heart, torn by a
'• Answer when I speak to you."
"Yes, Madame."
" To a gentleman ? "
" A'es, Madame."
" \Vhat is his name ? "
*' M. le Vieomte de Ikagelonne."
" I)o you know that that is a very good prosneet for you,
iuade.no.selle ; and that without fortun-, without position, Jith^
La Valliere made no reply.
Vol. II. - 34
;):;'l
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'--•A
w
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p'
'• \N'li( re is this Xicuiiitc dc Unijit'loimo '.' " coritiimcd the
([iiceii.
•• ill Kii|,'laiul,'' Siii<l .Mii«l;iiii(', •• whert! the reixirt nt iniulem-
nis.'lle's sucress will iml fiiil In reiicii liiiii."
"<ir''at !l<';ivei!s I " iiiuniiuM'd I.;i \';il!!i~'re, distiactc!!.
'• W'fll. iiiiult'iiKii.M'llc.'' siiiil Anne nt' Aiistri.i, " we will Iniiij,'
l;;i(k this yoiiiii,' iii.tii ami will mmhI you away sdiiu'wlicrc with
him. II' yoii art' ol a ditti'iciit laiiid tor yoim^' j,'irl.s liav^
straii},'e laiicies -tni-t me. 1 will liriii'^' ymi hack t<> the ri^dit
path. I have duiu' that tor many giils, not uorlli as much as
you arc."
LaN'allicic no IoiiL,'cr heard. The pitiless ([uet'ii coiiliiiued:
" I will send ymi aloiie somewluic, wiiere you can ponilcr at
your ease, llctlcctioii calms the l.KPod and dissijiati's the illu-
sions of youth. I suppose that vou understand lue '.' ''
".Madame: .Madame ! ''
" Not another word."
" Mad, line, I am iinio<eiit of everythiiij^ your Majesty im-
agines. See my despair. I love, I respect y<iur Majesty .so
inueli."
'• Metter for you if you did not respect nie," said tin; (pieen,
with cold irony. •• Iti'tter for you if you were not innncent.
Do you imaj,dne that I shouhl (juietly leave you if y(ju had
committed any mistake'.' '
"Oh, Madame, you are killiiiL; nie ! ''
" No tlieatricals, if you [ilease, or I sliall hriii;,' about the
denouement. Now go hack to your room and [u-otit by wliat I
have said to you."
" -Mailame," said La Valliere to tlie Dmdiess d'Orlean.s, seiz-
ing lier liands, "intercede for me. you who are so good."
" I ".' '■ replied the latter, witli an insulting laugh. " I good ?
Ah, nia(h'moise!le, you do nol believe a word of tliat."
And she roughly thrust aside the y<iuiig girl's liaiid.
The latter, instead of giving way, as botli princesses might
havi' exi)ecteil from her ]iallor and her teai's, suddenly re; umed
her calm and dignitied manner, made a low courtesy, and with-
drew.
" Well," said .\ line of .\ustria to Madame, '• do you think
she will cause any niore trouble '.' "
"I distrust jieople who are sweet and gentle." leidied
Madame. " Nothing is more determined than a j.atient heart ;
iiothiuy is surer of itself than a gentle spirit."'
,!■'
THE FIRST qriuni'L. r,3i
J I pnuniso von thuf sh. u,li ,l„„k tu-i... l„.,op.. ln,.ku,. .,
;• '^"I<'^s si,.. ,M:.k..s us,. „r Ins slurl.l,- said Ma.la,,,..
I III' i|U..|.|i liiutll.T aiiswi-|v,| this Ir.i-i-L- 1- ' • 1 ,
::;;;■:;, ■;i;V"",» - -«-";; i:;:.' ti^ril-S
sill.. (,t tli..ir M.tniv, s..t, ,,ui tu |i|„i M.^,.,.. y,,' , ^"
It ^vas th..,, half.past, .six in tl..- v^■^^n^v^ a.i.l tl... Kin-' ha.l
1" H LiKeii I,, La \alli..|vs apaitiiK-nts.
llion>,„f„.r,na.i.. a lon.l exi'laiiiation.
■i„hr, as a lantern; vscvy ..ne sees tlu.s.. wl.,. enter it and
];;.»■ »;i,oie_»«;. v,„. .„„„,a ,„>, .„„,, „,„,.,^ '^«[,,|,' »',;:;
.. Well/-
r,„" ".■■'"'" ^'"^""^ "'""''' """ »"•" •^f^"'"""' "'"■".'■J to W
" .s/Sk^'''"' ^■'"" ^^'"'^'''^' '''^^ ^"-^^'^'^ '">■ «^<=e«s of zeal."
" \\hat about the Queen '^ "'
si.!.;:.:,;;,':',';,;';;';, ■;:" '■ "'""■'■>■ '■""■- ■'- »■«-.! -onor :l-
•I'l-'l-'N ' l ''•
!a ■• V.t.> '>i.-.i.''T £\-<r:^^'1^^^;;
MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART
[ANSI ond ISO TEST CHART No 2)
1.0
I.I
1.25
'" IIIIIM
Hill 3 2
t IM
t m
1.4
2.5
II 2.2
I 2.0
1.8
1.6
^ /I PPLIED irVMGE Inc
^^ '6j3 '"-St Mo.n Street
r-S ".-Che., M-* rork U609 USA
■= '16) 482 - 0300 -• Phone
= '16) 288 - 5989 -Fax
ft
i'
582
r//E VICOMTI-: DK BUM.ELONNE.
Now the windows of tlie yotuis Quefii's room, those oi the
quetu mother's, iiiid tliose ot ^huhime's looked out iq^m the
court-yard of the maids of lionor. To be seen eondiictiiij.' tlie
King was to break witli three important i)rincesses, witli three
women of permanent favor, for the small pleasure of a passing
•vor of the mistress.
ihis jKKir Saint-Aignan, who had been so brave in pnjteeting
La Valliere beneath the oaks or in the park at I'ontainebleau.
was lu) longer brave in the light of day. He found a Ihciisand
faults in this girl, and longed to teli the King of them. Hut
h's ordeal was soon over: the eourt-yards were traversed ; imt a
curtain had been rais"d, iu)t a window o]iened. The Kin-
walked quickly, in the first place because of his impatience,
then because of the long legs of 8aint-Aignan. who preceded
him. At the door Saint-Aignan wished to disappear, but the
King detained him.
This was a delicacy with whieh the eourtier ccmld have
dispensed. He had to follow Lnuis to La Vallii-re's room.
On the arrival of the monarch the young girl dried her eyes,
but did this .so hurriedly that the King noticed it. He
questioned her like an interested lover, and urged her to tell
him what troubled her.
" Nothing at all, Sire,'' said she.
" But you were crying."
" Oh, no. Sire."'
" Look, Saint-Aignan. Am I wrong ? "
Saint-Aignan had to answer, but he was greatly embar-
rassed.
" Well, your eyes are red, mademoiselle," said the King.
" The dust on thf, road. Sire."
" No, you have lost that happy look which made you so
beautiful and attractive. You do not look at me."
" Sire : "
" Yes, you avoid my eyes.''
In fact, she had turned away.
" Why, in Heaven's name, what is the matter ? " asked Louis,
wh^se blood began to boil.
••' Nothing, Sire, and I am ready to show your Majesty that
mv mind is as free from trouble as you ccmkl wish."'
"" Your miml free, when I see you endiarrassed in every way,
even in your gestures '' Has any one hurt you or made you
angry ? "
THE FIRST Qf'AKliEL.
533
your telling me
said the young
"No, no, Sire!"
" Oh I I insist iijion
prince, with tiasliing eyes.
" Hut no one, Sire, no one has offended me."'
" Well, then, resume that dreamy gayety or joyous melau-
caoly I loved in you this morning. Come,! beg von.''
" Yes, Sire, yes.''
The King stamped his foot.
" Such a change is inexplicable," said he, and he looked at
Sauit-Aignan, who for his i>art ha<l noticed La Valliere's sad
languor as well as the King's imjnitience.
Loais begged in vain ; in vain lie strove to combat that fatal
disiiosition. The young girl was broken ; even the sight of
death would not have roused her from torpor.
The King saw in this impassiveness an unwelcome mystery.
lie began to look about him suspiciously. In the room was a
miniature of Athos. The King saw this portrait, which greatly
resembled Bragelonne, for it liad been painted when the count
was young.
He looked threateningly at it. In her depressed state and,
inoreovei', thinking of anything but the picture, La Valliere
could not divine the King's proccupation.
The latter was occupied with a terrible thought which had
assailed him more than once, bu. which lie had always thrust
aside. He recalled the intimacy of the young people since
their childhood. He reniembered the betrothal which had fol-
lowed. He remembered that Athos had come to ask him for
the hand of La Valliere for Raoul. He fancied that on her
return to Paris La Valliere had received news from London
which had counterbalanced the influence which he himself had
exercised over her. Immediately he felt himself stung by the
gadfly called jealousy.
He again questioned the girl, this time with bitterness, but
she could not answer. She would have had to tell him every-
thing. She would have had to accuse the Queen and Madame.
I'hat would have meant undertaking an open struggle with
two great and powerful f)rincesses. It seemed to her in the
hrst place that, since she was doing nothing to hide her
thoughts from the King, he ought to have read her heart in
spite of her silpn(>e ; that if he really loved her he ought to
have guessed, to have divined everything.
What was sympathy if not the divine flame which ought to
n
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134
77//-; vicoMTK DI-: i'.i:A<ii:i.oy\E.
I 11
enlighten the heart ami to make it possible for true hivers to
(Uspense with si-eech •.' She was sUent, therefore, couteiitin.i,'
herself with sighs ami tears, while she hid h^n- fai'e iii lier
hands. , i i ■
These sii^hs and tears, which at hrst liad toiiehed Lnms
XIV., fri<;hU'ned him and iinally irritated him. He could not
bear to be opposed — not even by sighs and tears. Jlis words
became sharp, vehement, aggressive.
Tiiis was an additional grief to t!ie young girl. Slie gained
from what she regarded as an injustice ou the part of her
h)ver the strength to resist not only others, but even hun.
The King began to accuse her directly. La Valliere did not
even atte"mpt"to defend herself. She bore every accusation
without making other reply than to ..hake her head, without
uttering a word save the two which come from deeidy troubled
hearts :
" My God ! my God '. "' .
But instead of calming the King's anger, this cry of pain
increased it ; it was a call to a power sui.erior to his, to U>ie
who could defend La Valliere against himself.
Resides, he saw that he was seconded by Saint-Aignan.
The latter, as we have said, saw the storm brewing; ho did
not know how deeply Louis XIV. could love. He felt all the
blows of the three princesses falling on him, the rum of poor
La Valliere, and he was not man enough net to fear being
dragged into the ruin.
Saint- .Vignau answered the interpellations of the King by
words uttered in a low tone or by inditfereiit gestures, which
were meant to embitter things and bring about a tpiarrel, the
result of which might free liim from the trouble that might
arise from crossing the court-yard in daylight in order to follow
his illustrious comp.anicm to La Valliere's apartment.
Meanwhile the King was growing more and more excited.
He started to leave the room, and then came back. The y')ung
girl had not raise.l her head, although the sound of his steps
must have told her that her lover was leaving. He paused a
moment before her with folded arms.
" For the last time, mademoiselle," said he, " will you
speak? Will you give a reason f(u- this change, this whim,
this caprice?'' ,■ n-
" What do you wish me to say ? "' murmured La \ aliiere.
« You see very well, Sue, that I am completely overcome !
•^
■»- ■■;/
<^^^M.,
"FOR THE LAST TIME, MADEMOiSELLE, WiLL YOU SPEAK'
-'v?^::*.
tiji:
' fl.:'v fl
SKlRi
yum
1 ,;i
"^
77/ A' /-V/.'sV mWRREL.
535
wil
power, iior tlioiight, nur
Vuii coulil have
You see that I have neither
word/'
'• Is it so difficult to tell tlie truth '.'
told it in fewer words than you liave used."
'• l'>ut the truth about what ':' "'
'• ICverythinjjf."'
Tlie truth, in fact, was risin-^'to La Valliere's lips. Her arms
were about to open, but still she sat silent, and liei- anus tell
down. The poor ;,'irl had not yet been wretched enough to
risk such a revelation.
•• 1 know nothing,'' she staniiaered.
" Oh, it is more than corpietry ! " cried the King. " It is
Uiore than caprice, it is treason ! "'
And this time nothing stopped him; not even the beating
of his heart could make him turn back, and with a despairinrr
gesture he rushed fntm the room. "
Sanit-Ajgnan followed, asking nothing better than to leave.
^ Louis XI\'. did not pause until he had reached the stairway.
I hen leaning against the banister he said :
'' You see I have been shamefully deceived ! "
'• How so, Sire '."■ asked the favorite.
'• I)e Guiche fought in behalf of the Vicomte de l^ragelonne.
And this Hragelonne — ''
•• Well ? "
" Well, she still loves him. And really, Saint-Aignan, I
should die ol shame if in three days there were to remain in
my heart a single atom of love for this girl."
And Louis XT', returned to his apartments.
" Ah, I told your ^Lajesty 1 " murmured Saint-Aignan, still
tollowiug the King and timidly watching every window.
Lnfortuuately it did not happen this time as it had hap-
pened before. A curtain was raised. Behind it stood Madame,
hhe had seen the King leave the apartment of the maids of
lionor.
When Louis had passed, she hurriedlv left her room, and,
descending the stairs two steps at a time, went directly to the
apartments he had just visited.
r
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THE VK'dMTE DE HI: \'; EI.OS S E.
..'■i^
.:..V*.>, ■■
•.■■_-* V 'I
NlBEl
("HAPTER LXXI.
DKSl'Ali;.
After the Kiiit,' hail ^'oiu', L;i ViiUieie rose witli anus out-
stretched as it' to stop him, but when tiie door Imd ch)Sfd hc-
hiiid hull and the sound of liis footsteps liail died away in the
distauee site had had only streuLjth enough to lall at the feet of
lier erucitix. There slie hiy, crushed, Ijinken dnwu, s\v;iHowed
up in her despair, taking account of nothiuii- cxi ejit ;4ritd — a
grief which she realized only by instinct and sensation.
In the midst of this tumult of thought La N'allic.c heaid
the (hjor open. She gave a stari and turned around, tliinking
that the King hail come back; but she was mistaken, it was
only Madame. What was .Madame to her '.' She fell back, her
head on the prie-dieu. It was Madanu', excited, irritated,
threatening. Hut what was that to her'.'
"Mademoiselle," said, the jjiincess. ]iausing before La Val-
liere ; '• it is very heaiitiful, I admit, to fall on your knees, to
pray, to act in a pious manner; but humble as you may seem
to the King of Heaven, you ought to have a little regard for
the will of the lords of earth."'
La Valliere with ditliculty raised lier head as a mark of
respect.
"A short time ago,"' continued ^Lidame, '-a suggestion was
made to you, I think ? "
La Vailiere's wild and glassy eye showed lier utter forget-
fulness of what had taken jdace that morning.
'•The queen suggested to you," continued Madame, "to
conduct yourself in such a way as to prevent all further circu-
lation of rumors concerning you."'
La Vailiere's glance became a questioning one.
"Well."' said Madame, "some one has just left you whose
presence is an accusation."
La Valliere was silent.
Madame went on :
" 1 cannot have my house, that of the first princess of the
blood, setting such a bad example; you will be the cause.
I tell you, mademoiselle, with no witness, — for I ilo not
seek to humiliate you, — that you are free to go away at
once aud. returu to your mother at Blois."
DESPA IR.
587
La Viillii'ie could full no lower. I,a Vallit'n- could sutTer no
niori' lli.iii she had already siiftcird. Her tace did not change ;
her liaiid.^ remained (daspcd on her knees like those of tiie
divint! .Ma,i,'dalen.
" Ho you hear nie '.' " saiil Madame.
A shiver, which passed from her head t(> her feet, was La
\'alliere"s only answer.
And as the victim <;ave no other sign of life, Madame left
the room.
It seemed to La \'allit're that her heart had sto])|)e(l heating,
that her blood had fro/en in her veins ; but sudderdy sIk; felt
a throbbing sensation in her lingers, in her throat, in her tem-
ples. Tliis tlirol)bing increased until it soon changed into
high fever and delirium, in which she saw the faces of her
frieu'ls who were struggling against her enemies.
In her dull ears she heard commingled threats and words of
loxc : she no longer seemed herself, she was taken out of lier-
self as if on the wings (jf some strong wind; and along the
horizon of the road towarils which her fever was driving her
she saw the door of the tomb ojien showing her the formidable
and sombre interior of everlasting niglit.
r.ut she finally Jiecame calm as the dreams that had beset
her gave jjlace to her usual resignation. A ray of hope
entered her heart as a sunbeam enters the cell of a pris-
oner.
She saw herself again upon the road from Fontainebleau ; she
saw the King riding beside her coacdi telling her he loved her,
asking for her love in return — making her swear that in
case of any misunderstanding the evening should not pass
without a visit, a letter, a sign, to atone for the trouble of the
day and ensure a jieacefnl night. It was the King who had
thought of that, who ha<l made her swear to that. It was,
therefore, impossible that the King should forget this promise
which he himself had demanded, unless he were a despot who
exacted love as he exacted obedience, unless he were so in-
different that the first obstacle in the way blocked his
path.
So the King, that gentle protector who by a word, a single
word, could bring to an end all her troubles, had joined tlie
niunber ,.f ht-r persecutors. Oh, his anger could not last.
Now that he was alone, his sufferings must equal hers. Hut
he was not chained down as she was ; he could act, move,
i
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5:58
THE VICOMIE HE I'.n.Xi.EI.oSSE
rvinie ; wliilt >])<• fnu'iil ilo iinilniiL; Imt vvai!. Ainl ^lic did
\v;ut, with all Iht sniil, [ludr i-liild ; Inr it was iiiii.(i»iliU'
tliat till' I\ iii^' w iMiId lint itiiiir.
It was aliinit liall-past ten. lli; would riTtaiiily i-niiii'. nr
uiitr t(i her, 111' si'iid Millie word \<y M. ilr Saiiil-Aigiiaii.
It he caiiu', nil. sill- Wdiild ni-li tn n.i'ft liiin I Hnw ^hc
wiiiild rast, a>idi' that dflii-ary which iinw she knew had ln'cii
.so f^'i't'atly iiiisuiidiTstood ! She wmild sav tn hini :
'• It is lint I will) (In lint liAC ynll ; it is tllt'V wllO lln lint
want iiic tn \o\v- ynii."
And thus it nnist he adiiiitti'd that tlic ninic she tlinn<,'lit cf
it tilt? iiinre shi' felt that l.nuis was nnt tn lie Maiiied. in fart,
lie w;is i^'iinraiit nf th^ wlmle thiiiu;'. ^\'llat must he ha\e
tlinie.^lit nf her nlistinary in kee]iiii;4 ipiiet ! Iini'.'itii'iit. irrita-
ble as lie was knnwii In he. it was extiamdinary that he liad
eontrnlled himself for so Iniii,'. She slimild nnt have aeteil in
such a way. she should have nnderstnnd everythint;'. di\ined
everything,'; lint she was a ponr girl and not a t^re.it Iviii.i,'.
•• ( )li, hut he wniild emiie I He would come I She would for-
give him for all he had made her suffer. She would love liiiii
more for having made her sutfer."
Ami leaning in the direction of the dnnr, with parted lijis
she waited — (rml fnrgive this iimfanity — tnr a repetition of
till' kiss which the King had given her that morning when lie
nttered the word "love."'
If tlie King did not come at least lie would write. 'I'his was
the second ])rnspect, less sweet, less tempting than the ntlier,
but one which wnuUl show as much lo\e, though of a iimre
timid nature. Oh. how she woukl devour the letter I with
what haste she would answer it I when the messenger had gone
liow she would kiss it, re-read it, and press tn her heart the
dear pa|)er which had hroiight her rest, jieace, and joy.
'i"he King was not coming. Well, if the King did not write
it was impossible that he should not send Saint-Aignan, or
that Saint-Aignan should not come of his own accord. How
she would tidl everything to a third jiarty I His Majesty
would not be there to freeze the words on her lips, and then
no further doubt could remain in the King's heart.
Every part of La Valliere, heart and eye, body and soul,
was concentrated on this ex]iectation.
She told herself .she still had an hour: that nntil mid-
night the iviiig might come, write, or send; that not until mid-
imsi'Mi:
.'59
til.'
ht I
H'Cll
-1
M' ''\\ (' U
I> .ill linpc. At tho .>Iij,'htcsf Sdiitnl ii
[);il;i(r the imm.i- '^irl tliniis^'ht slif knew tlif f';iii>c
\\1
ItMl-
■vcr iiii'ii i>;i.is(;il tliiiMi.rii tli.' CDiiit-yanl slu; tli()ii;^'lit tlii'y
AW.
ufic incssciii^i'rs t'idiii tla
Kievi-n ()'<'l(>(k stiuck, tiuMi n (luartcr \k\.>,\., tlicii half iiast.
riif iiiimitrs cifi.t slowly by in her anxiety, and yet they went
ill tiKi i|iiii'kly.
'I'hre('-(|nartcrs st riH'k.
Mbliii-lit ! iiiiiliii''lit ! till' tliial, the
With ih
■>t >trnke (.r tl
sii|>rt'iiu' hii|
lia.lr
nine.
awav ; with the last li'^ht. tl
e cldck the last tiieker nf li'rht died
t h
le last liiiiit
So ihe I\iii
th
ith he had
ad deceived her; he \va^ the first to break
iiiai
If th;it V
eiv ilav.
welve hours between
the oilh and perjury I That was not IoUl,' to have kept up
the illu-ion
So not only did the Kini,' not love her, but lie di'S[jised
r when every one was erusliin;^^ her; he despised her to
ler w
the extent ot al)andonin<,' her to the slianie of an exile, whicl
w;is eiiuiv
aleiit t
was he,
i,i,'noniin\',
he the
() an ij^'iioniinions sentence.
lIii'
And
vet it
who w;is the jiriniary cause of that
A bitter smile, the only si^Mi of an.i^'or wliich durinj,' lier h
stru^'Lcle had j-assed over the victim's an^'(die face, appeared
her 1
on
ips. What was there left for lier in the world since she
had lost tlie Kinj,' '.' Nuthin
She thoULjht of (iod.
Mv Cod,
aid sh
tell
that 1 look for everyihim;. to Thee that I
r>ut (iod remained in lieaveii.
me what to do. It is from Thee
owe ever
Vth
niL
And she looked at her erucitix, the feet of which si:
kissed lovin'dv,
16
lit
aid she, " is a Master who never forwts and abaii
dons those who do not forj,'et or abaiulon Hit
will I give myself.
11. To Him alone
Then if
an
y one could have looked in upon that room he
wouh
fori
1 have seen the \
,'irl niakint; a final resolution,
iiing in her niiiiil a final i.laii ; in short, oliinbing up
that long laihler of Jacob, by whicli souls ascend from earth
to heaven.
When her knees could no longer sujipott her. she S'lnk
ipon tho steps of tlie jirie-dieu, her lieail leaning against the
ick, watching the
Ml cross, her eves fixed, her breatl
iiiii;' (III
hrst light of day breaking through the window.
j
r)4()
Tin: vicoMii: in: iii!A(;i:i.n\.\E.
Two o"cli)ck ill tilt' iiKiiiiin^' fmiiMl Iht in this I'lcii/y, or
rullnT in tills t'cstiisy. Sin- iin l(iii.;c|- l)fliiiij,'i'il lu iicrselt.
Si) wiit'ii she siiw tlu' vioifl tiiil ol iiinriuii,' liiiirh tin' rocifs
(if tiic ii;il;ifi', (lilt liiiiu'' \aL;iii'lv the ivi.rv ti'Miici.t tlir ( jirist
wiiirli silt' lifiil ill liiT iiaiiil-', siif iiisc witli a ffitain strfir^'tli,
ki>sfil tiic t'fft (il till' (ii\iiif inaityr. Ift't lifi- kh'Iii, ami, w ra['-
|iin,L,' litTsclf ill a cltiul^. ili'Mfinlfil tlic stairs.
She rfac'iit'ij tlif ,1,'itf jii-t a-^ tlif niiiskt'tfcis (i|it'nt'il tlif iloor
tt> ailniit tlif tir,->t liivisimi nl tlif Swi^s L,'iiaiil. 'I'lifii ,-.li|iiiiii^'
lit'liinil tilt' lueii, she ;„'aincil tlif sfrfct liftuic tin- iliift I't the
[latidl t'vcn hail tiiiif to woiiiliT uliofhf young wuuuin wu*
who was Icaviug the jjalut'e at so caily an liour.
CHAITEK LXXII.
t:
ruK KLitair.
Leavixo beliiml Iht the patrol, whifh went to the li^lit by
thf Kiie Saint-Honoit', I^a Vallit'if tnrnfil nifrhanic-ally to the
Iftt. Jlor resolution was taken, her jiian I'ornied. She wouhl
go to the Canuelites at Chaillot. the niutlifi' siqierior ol' whom
had a i-eiiutatmn tor stiventy wliieli iiiaile the worldly jieople
at court tremble.
La V'alliere had never seen Paris, liad never fjoiie out on
foot, and eould not have found her way even in a ealnier
frame of mind. This exjilains why she turned u|) the Kue
Saint-Ht^inore instead of goini,' in the oiiposite direetion.
Slie was in liaste to leave the I'alais-ltoyal. She had
heard that Chaillot faced the Seine, and she set out, there-
fore, in that direction. She took the Itui- du ('oq, and unable
to go tluough the Louvre, started towards the ('hureh of
Saint-Gernuin TAuxerrois, passing by the place where I'errault
afterwards built his eoloiniade. Siie soon reached the quays.
Slie walked in a hurried and excited manner, and scarcely
felt tliat infirmity whicli from time to time reminded her,
by forcing lier to limp, of the siirain she had received in
her childhood.
At any other hour of tlie day her face would have aroused
the suspicion of the least observing, and wt^uld have attracted
the attention of the least curious passers-by.
iiiE Fi.Hinr.
r.4l
^ r.uf ;i1 li,ilf-p;ist two (, "clock 111 the iii.jniiiif,' the streets ,,!'
l'iiri> ;nc piac I ic;ill\ .Icmii.,!. (»,ily tlip liiboivis who wcik
'"'■""'"■ 'I'lilv '"'••I'l •uv out. or .l.ui^'.Tous h.atcs icti.i niii.'
hoiuc iilti'ia iii-ht ol ivvcIiA- iq.il (lchiiiich»'ry. For I li«' loiin.'r
the (lay was l.c-imiiii,!,' ; tor tin' latter u was cniliii^'.
I-.i \'allicic was aliaid ol all thoM' laces aiuoiitj wliidi. ho-
cause of her i-iioiauce ot I'an.Maii types, slie wa^s unable to
(listiii^iiisli those of iioiiesty Iroui those of cv iii( i>iii. For lier,
iiiiseiy was a scarecrow ; and every one slie'niet seemed iipser-
alile.
Her dress, which she had worn since tlio Jirevious evenint,',
.'Veil m Us ne-le.ted state was .deLrant, for it was the same slie
had worn to the (|ue.'ii niother-s. Moreover, heneath the hood
which she had raised in onh'r the hetter to see. her j.allor and
her heaiilifiil eyes spoke a lan-ua-e unknown to thosp men
of the jieople, and all iiuconMidiisly {lie poor Miiiaway elieiteil
the iiriitality of some, tlie pity of oiliers.
So. hreatiiless and excited; La Valliere walked on a.s far a.s
the IMaee de (uvve. Fvery now and tlien she stopjied, pressed
her hand to lier heart, U-aned a-ainst some lionse. caii^dit lier
l.reath.aiid w.-nt on more rapidly Ihan before. Having reached
the I'laie de (nvve. La Valliere came face to face with aRionp
of three drunken men, who, witli sliirts open at the throat,
were stag-erin;,' out of a boat wliich was moored to the
dock.
The boat was laden with wines, and it was easy to .see they
had don.> honor to their wares. They were sin^'i'ti"- their bac-
chanalian exploits in three <litferent kevs, when, on reaching
the eml of the steps whi(di de.scemied to the quay, tliey sud-
denly lound they were barrill^r the way of a young girl.
La Valliere stopjied.
At sight <.f tills wonuan in court dress they halted, and with
one accord joined hands and siinounded La Valliere, singing:
" You iirc hiiviiii; mxch a stupid time alone.
C'oiiiL' an 1 laiigli ,\ itii us."'
!
* li t
i
La A alhere then understood that the men were speakino- to
lior and that they wished to prevent her passing. She made
several attempts to escape, but in vain. Her limbs -ave way •
she felt she was going to fall and she uttered" a cry of
terror.
^ii^^'*^^^'^^-'---'
Tin: VICOMTE Di: nitAdELnSSK.
l:^'
Hut iit that iiioiiKMit till' circ'It' .ilHuit licr was suiMonly forced
oiieu. One of tlie wretches wus hurled asi(h\ another rolled
to the edj^e vjf the water, the thiid lottered under the shock.
An officer of the musketeers with Irdwiiiii'^- luow. tlneaten-
ing words on his lips, and hands still laised, turned and faced
the younj^ s^irl. At slight of the uniform and especially hefure
the evid'^nce of stren,i,^lh which its wearer had just ;^Mven, the
drunken men fled.
•• ,lAiy'//r)/(.r .'■' cried the othcer. '' It is .Mademoiselle de la
Vallit'-re ! "
La VaUiere. dazed by what had just talien place, on hearintj
her name uttered, raised her eyes and rccoLjnized 1 )'.\ rtannan.
•• Ves, monsieur,'' said she, "it is 1." And she clung to his
arm.
"Von will protect me, M. d'Artagnan, will you not'.'"' she
said, pleadingly.
"Certainly I will ]iroi.'ct you, but, in Ile.vVc'u's name, where
cpn you be going at this hour '.' ""
" I am going to Chaillot.*"
" Going to Cliaillot by way of La T^apee ? Why. maderv
oiselle, yon are going in exactly thi; opposite direction I "
" In that case, monsieur, be good enough to ]iut me on the
right road and to lend me your escort for a short distance.''
'' Willingly "'
" But how does it hapi)en that I find you here ? By what
act of I'roviilence were you enabled to cume to my assistance ?
I feel as if I were dreaming. 1 think I must be mad."'
'' I am here, mademoiselle, because I have a house on the
Place de tJieve at the '■ Ihkkji' de Xnti-i Dmiie.' I had to look
after the rent yesterday ami spent the night there. Besides, I
wanteil to be at the jialace early for inspection."
" Thank yon,"' s.aid La Valliere.
" That "s what I was doing," said D'Artau'nan to himself,
"but wliat has .she been doing, and wliy is siie going to Chail-
lot at su<di an hour '.' "
He offered her his arm and she began to walk rajiidly. Jhit
her iiaste hid great weakness. D'Aitagnan realized this and
H'ggested th.it she sliould rest, but La \'alliere refused.
'■ Perlia])s you do not know where Cluiillot i.s '/ " said
D'.\rtagnan.
'• No, I do not."
■■ It is a long distance from here."
I HE FLIGHT.
543
You are goiiif,' to enter
'■ Tluit (!(!■-; iidt inatter.''
'• It is II mile at least."
" I can walk it."
l)".\itaj,'nan did not reply. He knew from the .simple tone
that her mind was made \i\). He earried rather than accom-
panied La Valliere. At last they saw tlie Iiei,!,'ht.s.
"To wliat house are you L,'oing, mademoi.selle '.'" asked
D'Artat^nan.
"To the Carmelites, monsieur."
"The Carmelites!" said I)'Arta,L,'nan. astonislied.
" Yes, and since God sent you to help me on my journey
accept my thanks and my adieu.x."'
"The C^armelitesI Your adieux I
a convent, tlien '.' " said i)'Artai,'nan.
" Yes, numsieur."'
" You : ! : '•
In this //'//'. after wliich we luive placed three exclamation
points to render it as exiu'essive as possible, there was an
entire poem. He lecalled to La Valliere her old memories of
lUois and her new souvenii's of Fontaisiebleaii. He said to
her, "• Ynii who could be happy with Raoul, i/hh who could be
iuHuential with Louis, i/nu ,<;oinp: to enter a convent .' "'
" \'es. monsieur,'" said she. " I have given myself to the
Lord, I have renounced the world."
"Hut are you not mistaking your vocation? Are you not
misinterpreting (Jod's will '.' "
'• Xo, since (Jod has allowed me to meet you. If it liad not
been for you I should certainly have svu'cumbed to fatigue;
and since God sent you to me it is because he wishes n^e to
attain my object."
" Oh," sai(i D'Artagnan, dubiousl\', " that seems to me very
subtle." ■'
" However that may be, ' went on the young girl, "you now
know my resolution — I liave a last favor to ask of you."
" What is it, mademoiselle '.'"
" The King does not know of my flight fro'u the Palais-
Royal."
J)".\rtagnan gave a start.
"'I'he King." continued La Valliere, "does not know what I
am going to do."'
"The King docs not kmiw it?'' cried I»'.\rtagnau. " Take
care, nuulemoisell'j ! you do nut realize the full meaning of
ti
^
CftUCi
544
77//-; VKOMTK I)E lUlACKLoy SE.
whiit von an> about to do. No on.', ospecially of tlu-sf at
court, sliouM do anythin- of whi.'li the Km- is ignorant.
" 1 am no longer at (■t)ui-t, monsieur. '
1)-Artagnau looked at the young girl with inereasr.ig aston-
'"""uh'^'vou need not worry, monsieur," she continued, '• every-
thing is arranged, and even were it not, it IS to,, late now to
retract. The deed is done"
" W.dl, mademoiselle, .vliat do you want .
" Monsieur, from the pitv one bestows on misfortune, by the
generosity in your soul, ..n your honor as u gentleman, i
bcseo'di ytiu to make nie an oath.""
" All oath '.' "'
" Yes."
"What is it?" .,, ^ ^ ,, ., ^
..Swear to me. M. d'Artagnan. tTiat you wil not tell the
King you have seen me. or that I am with the ( arnielites.
IVArtagnan shook liis head.
" I will not >wear that,"" said he.
"lieciuse 1 know the King, because I know you, because I
know myself, and because I know human nature. No, I will
not swear that. ' i- i • i „
"Then."" cried La Valliere, with an energy of which one
would not have believed her capable, -Miistead ot the bless-
i„.rs I would have bestowed on you to the end ot my days, i
cu^'se you, for you have made me the most miserable ot
^^ We\iiu"e said that D"Artagnan understood every accent that
came from the heart; he c.Mild not resist this one. He saw
the worn-out face, he saw the trembling limbs, he saw the
frail, delicate lu.dy quivering from some shock, and he ualizal
that resistance would kill her.
'■ It shall be as you wi.sh," said he. '• Rest assured, madem-
oiselle. I will sav nothing to the King."'
.. Oh. thank you, thank you I"" cried La \ alliere, "you are ihe
most ''enerous of men. ' . , i i
Anil in a transport of joy she seize.l 1> Artaguan s hands and
clasped them between her own.
The latter felt himself growing tender.
.. M.,ni;oii.,r' said he, "here is one l)eginning where o>!,crs
end. It is touching."'
THE FLIGHT.
545
Then La Valliere, wlio in a moment of despair had sunk
upon a stone, rose and walked to the convent of tiie Carmelites,
vviiich was seen risins,' in the dawninf:^ light.
])'Artai,'nan followed her from alar.
The parior iloor was open. She glided in like a pale shallow,
and thankin.i,' D'.Vrtagnan with a wave of her hand, she disap-
]jfared from sight.
\Vhen I)\\.rtaj,Miari found him^.■!f alone he pondered deeply
on what had just taken place.
" Well,"' said he, «• I am in what mi<,dit be called a false yo-
sition. To keep such a secret is to keep in one's pocket a
glowiiif,' coal, trusting that it will not burn one's (dothes. Not
to keep a secret when one has sworn to do so is the act of a
man devoid of honor. L'sually good ideas come to me quickly,
but now, either I am >,'reatly "mistaken or I shall have to run
a long time before finding a solution to this problem. Where
shall I run? Faith! in the first place, in the direction of
Paris ^ good direction! On f to run quickly, four le,;;s are
better than two. Unfortunately, just at present I ha\^e but
two. •■ A horse ! ' as I have heard them say in the Loudon
theatre. ' my kiui^'dom for a horse ! '
'' Now that I think of it an animal would not cost as much
as that. There are some musketeers at the barrier of the
Conference, and for one horse that I need I could get ten."
As a result of tlii.^ determination, made with his usual rapid-
ity of action, D'Artagiian at once as- Mided the heights,
reachcil the masketeers, seized the best horse he could find,
and was at the palace in ten minutes.
Five o'clo<d< was striking from the Paluis-Royal.
D'Artagnan asked for the King.
Louis had retired at liis usual hour after having worked
with :\r. Colbert, and in all probability was still asleep.
"Well,"' said he, "she spoke the truth. The Kim: knows
nothing about it. If he knew only the half of what had hap-
pened the Palais-lioyal would be upside down."
ili
■if
I:
Vou II. — 89
' -- - ^I-^ --^ — *-.
mm
c
11
54G THE MCOMTIC DE liH.MiELoS SE.
CHAPTER LXXITI.
HOW LOLIS SPENT TIIK irMK UK. rWKKX ll.VLK -I'AST TKV AND
JUliN'MiHT.
On- lciivin<; the apaitnieiit of the maids of lioiioi-, Louis
found ill his louiiis ('(ilhfit. wiio was awaitiiii,' oidcrs ciMict-ru-
ing the ceveiiiouv for tiie lollowiiii,' ihiy. 'I'hc.f \.as to he. as
we have said, a'leceptiou lor the P iteh and Spanish anihassa-
dors.
Louis XIV. had ^'Mve cause 'or disideasure towards liol
hand. Several times already the States had practised evasion
in their relations »\-ith France, and without noticing or fearing
any prospect of a ru[.ture. they again gave up their alliance
with the very Christian King, to conco't all sorts of intrigues
with Spain. >.-,,'
At his accession, that is, at the death of Ma/arin, Lonis XIV.
liad found this political (piestioii before him. It was tlitticult
for a young man to solve ; but as at that time the who!' nation
was represented in the king, everytiiing the head decided on,
the body was ready to carry out. A little anger, the reaction
of (luick young blood to the brain, was enough to change an
ancient political line and create another system.
The business of the di[>lomats at that time coiisisird merely
in arranging the state iiolicies which their sovereigns might
need. Louis was not in a mood to liave any wise policy
dictated to him. Still affected by the (piarrel which he had
just had with La Valliere, he wandered about his cabinet
anxious to find an opportunity to give vent to his feelings after
liaving contained himself for so long.
On seeing the King, Colbert grasped the situation at once.
and understood the monarch"s intentions. He maiKcuvred.
When the master asked what had to be done the next day,
the intendant began by finding it strange that his ^Llje^ty had
not been informed by ^L FoiKpiet.
'• M. Fompiet," said he, "knows all about this affair with
Holland: he receives all correspondence diiecl."
Accustomed to hear M. Colbert attack ^L Fou(pi. t, the King
let this sallv pass without coinment. He merely listened.
Colbert sinv the effrct of his words, and hastened to retract.
saying that JL Foinpiet was not, however, as rulpable as he
HOW f.or/S SplJXT THE TIME.
547
appeared at first siirlit, since just at tliiJ time he was great ly
preoccupied. 'I'hc King looked np.
" How preoccupied '/ " said lie.
" Sire. Mien are oidy men. and M. Foui]uet ha.s his fanlts as
well as his good (pialities."
'• Ah, who is without faults. ^[. Colbert'.' '"
•• Vour Majesty certainly has many," said Colbert, boldlv,
wlio knew how to otf'er deep flattery u"^nd-r light censure, as an
arr(.w, in spite of its weight, cleaves the air, thanks to the
light feathers which uphold it.
The King smiled.
" What is M. Foiupiet's fault '.' " said he.
" Always the same one. Sire ; they say he is in love."
" In love with whom '.' "
" I do not know. Sire : I have little to do witli those ' affairs,'
as they are called."
•' J?iit you must know, since vou mention it."
" I have heard it said — "
'• What :' "
'• .V name."
" Whose ? "
" I cannot remember."
*' Ttdl me."'
"I thnik it is that of one of Madame's maids of honcr."
The King started.
'• Vou know more about it than you want to tell me, M.
Colbert," he murmured.
"Oh, Sire, I assure you T do not "'
" Well, come, Madame's maids of honor are known, and if
you heard the names perhaps you would recognize the one you
are trying to remember."
" No, Sire."
'• Try."
" It wfmld be useless. Sire. When it is a question of com-
promised ladies, my memory is a brass chest, the key of hich
I have lost."
A cloud passed over the mind and the lirow of the King.
Tlien wisliing to seem master of him.self, he shook his head and
said :
" N'ow about the affair with Holland ? "
••In the first i)lace, Sire, when does your Majesty wish to
receive the ambassadors?''
S-i
548
THE VICOMTI-: hi-: litiACELoN.SE.
SBEEl
M
hi
m
'• Early."
'• Kltjvi'ii (I'clfifk '.' ''
<• Tliat is too latP. Niiie.''
•■ That is very caiiy."
" For friends it dofs not matter. One does as one likes
with friends, hilt with eneniiis — If they are wounded, so
niiudi the better. 1 shall i:nt be sorry, I ccmtess. ti> t;et
through with all these swamp birds who weary me with their
cries."
'•Sire, it shall be as your Majesty wishes. At nine o'rlock,
then. I will <,'ive orders to that etfect. Is the atidieiK (! to be
lormal '.' "
'• No, 1 want to e.Kplain matters to them and not to
irritate them, as always liaiii)ens when many people are
present; but at the same time 1 want them to understand
the situation so that we shall not have to beijin all over
a;.,'ain."
•• ^■our .Majesty will desiijnate those who are to be present
at this reeeptiou."
<• I will make out the list. Now about these ambassadors.
Wliat do they want '.' "
"Allied with Spain, they will s^in nothing; allied with
Franee. they will lose much."
" Ifow so?"
" Allied with Spain, tliey will be limited and proteeted
by the possessions of their ally ; they eannot bite in spite of
their desire to do so. From Antwerp to Rotterdam is Viut a
step l)y the Scheldt and the ^fense. If they wish to bite a
jiiece of the Spanish cake, yon. Sire, the son-in-law of the
kini,' of Spain, ean in two days go from here to Itrussels with
the cavalry. It is a ipiestion, therefore, of breaking with you
and of making you suspect Spain sutticiently to keep from
taking part in her affairs."
" Jn that case it is very simple," replied the King, " to make
a solid alliance with me by which I should gain something,
while they would gain everything."
•' No; for if they should chance to have you for a neighbor,
your Mnje.-^ty would l)e no ea.sy one. Young, ardent, warlike,
"the King of France can give Holland some rough blows,
especially if he api>r(»aches her.'"
" I understand perfectly, M. Colbert, and it is well ex-
plained. I>ut the conclusion, if you please ? "
lion- Lot IS SP/:\T THE TIME.
549
" Your Jrajesty's (lecisions are never without wisdom."
"What will these ambassadors say to me ? "
" They will tell your Majesty that they greatly desire this
alliaiice. and that will be a falsehood'; they \vill tell the
Spaniards that the three powers ou,Lcht to combine a^'ainst the
prosperity of I-:n,',daud, and. that will be a fals.diood ; Inr vour
.Majesty's natural ally t(Hlay is En-land, wh,j has vessels when
you have none ; Kn.^land who ean balanee the ])ov,-er of
Holland in India; Kn-land. in short, a monarchy, where your
Majesty has alliances and blood relations."
" Very f,'nod. ])ut what would you replv '.' "
" I should reply. Sire, with unsurpassed moderation, that
Holland is not wludly suited to the J\in.L( of France; that
jiublic feeliui; in IbiUand is alarminLC bu- your :^[ajesty ; that
certain medals have been struck off with' devices which are
injurious."
" To me ? " cried the yount,' Kin,i,'. excited.
"Oh, no, Sire; injurious is not the word ; I am mistaken.
I nu'ant very flattering for the I>atavians.'"
'•(»h, if sucli is tiu' case the pride of the Batavians luatters
little," said the King, sighing.
■' Vonr .Majesty is a thousand times riglit. However, since
your :Majesty knows bet^^er than I. it is' never poor policv to
be unjust in order to obtain a concessi(jn. Your .Majesty com-
plaining with irritation of ^he ISatavians will seem to" them
to be much more important."
" What are these medals?" demanded Louis ; '• for if I am
to speak of them I must know what to say."
"Faith, Sire, I scarcely know what tliey are — some jire-
sumiitnous device, that is all; the words are unimportant."
" Very well, I will use the word -medal." and they will under-
stand if they so desire."
'• ( >h. they will understand. Your .Majesty can also let fall
a few words about the circulation of certain pamphlets."
» Xevt>r! The jiampldets hurt those who write thciu much
more than those against whom they are written. M. Colbert, 1
thank you ; vou mav retire."
"Sire!"
" .\dieu ! Do not forget to be on time."
" Sire, I await your Majesty's list."
" That is true."
'I
The King began to reflect ; he was uot thinking of the 1
ISi
5o0
'/'///•; viroMTE />/: iii!.\(!i:i.()S\E.
tw-r;;
at all. The clofk struck half-past olcvi'ii. Tin' ininco's hicf
shdw.'il his t.-rrihl." stni-i,'li> b.'tw.'fii |iii(l.' and Invo. Thf
jKilitical I'uiiv.MSiitinn h.ul cftacMl much uf Lnui^' vexation,
and till- liale. ha-'-,Mnl tac' uf La Vallinr spok.' to his ii.ia'^i-
natioii a very lUff. iiMit iaui,'ua^'c froui tliat of the Dutcii uuMJals
or tlu! I'.atavian pamphlets.
For ten minutes he pondered as to whether lie should (U'
sh.mhl not -o hark to I-a Valli^re; hut ( olhert havin- in-
sisted respect full V on ha\ ins,' .he list, tlie Kiul; hlushiMl at the
thoii'.,'lit of his niii ' haviuix been on love when business
demanded his time and attention.
He theretore dictated :
"The queen mother, the Queen. Madame, Madame de Motte-
ville, Mademoiselle de ('hatillon. Madame de Navailles ; and
amont^the men. Monsieur. M. le rriiiee. M. de Crammont, M.
de Manicamp, M. de Saint- .Vi.i,Muui, and the othcers on duty."
"The ministers?" said Colbert.^
"Certainlv, and the secretaries."'
"Sire, I sliall make everythin;^' ready; the orders will be
here to-morrow."'
"S.av to-day,"' replied Louis, sadly.
Midui;,'ht had striu k— the hour when poor La Vallii're well-
nv^\\ died of ;^rief and despair. •> • , i
The Kin;/s attendants entered the room to i.icpare Ins bed.
The (^leen had been waitin;^' for an hour.
Louis went into her room with a si;4h. hut even in .lomg so
he eon-ratulate.l himself on his eoura^'e. He rejoiced at
beiii" as strong in love as lie was in politics.
CH APT Ell LXXIV.
. ^
I
THK AMli.VSSADOHS.
D'.Vktac.nax had learned almost all we have just related ; for
he counted amonu' his friends those connected with the house,
— ofHcial servants, who were proud of bein;,' saluted by the cap-
tain of the musketeers, for he was a man of intlueuce, and who,
apart from ambition, were proud of beinuMonsidered something
bv a man as brave as I)".\rtagnan. , , , .
" Thus every morning D'Artagnan learne.l what he had not
1. <i
77//' JAf/S.iSSADo/iS.
661
licfii able to spo or timl out tor lii'nsclt thr cvpiiiii'' before, not
'iiij^ vibi(iuitoiis. So ill till.-, wiiy '.le iii.ult
b
"t of
ill.-, Wiiv .If Iil.Kle up ;i lMiil;^et or news
'■very (hiy wiiiih lie untied :it need to take fn ni it the weapon
he th()Ui,'lit neces.^ary.
Thus lyArta^'llan■s two eyes did him the same serviee as
ihe hundred eytvs of .\ri,Mis.
I'olitieal seerets, secrets of the bedroom, words dropped bv
Ihe courtiers on leaving' the antechamber, I>"Arta,L,'nau knew
every thiiinj and hid every thin',' in the fast and impenetrable
tiiiub of his mind, with the royal secrets so dearly bought and
so faithfully i^iiarded.
He knew, therefore, of the interview with Colbert ; he knew
of the reception to the ambassadors arran.i^'ed for that morning;
lie knew there would be a discussion of the medals, and as lie
set to work to build up a conversation from the few words he
had iieard, he took his phu'e in the ai)artments, in order to be
on hand when tiie King awoke. This hap|iened at an early
hour, whi(di juoved that the King too had had a bad night.
Towards seven o'ldock Louis gently opened his door.
T)"Artagnan was in his place. His .Majesty was jjale, and
evidently fatigued; moreover, he had not finished dressing.
'' Call M. de .Saint-Aignan," said he.
Saint-Aignan was probably expecting to be summoned, for
when the messenger went to iiim he was already dressed. He
hastened to obey tlie King's command.
A moni'^nt later Louis and Saint-Aignan passed through the
room ; the King walked first. D'Artagnau was at the window
whieli overlooked the court-yard ; he did not need to trouble to
btllow the King with his eyes. One woidd have said that he
liad divined in aih-auce where the Kim: was going. Louis
went directly to tlie apartment of the maids of honor. This
didnot surjjrise D'Aitagnan. He did not doubt, although La
\'alliere had said nothing about it, that his Majesty had some
w longs to repair.
Saint-Aignan followed the King as on the previ<jus evening,
but he was somewhat less nervous and anxious, for he trusted
at seven o'clock in the morning that he and the King would
be the only ones awake among the august inmates of the
chateau. D'Artagnau stood at the win(h)w, calm and indif-
ferent. One would have sworn that lie .w nothing and that
he was utterly ignorant of the identity of the two adventurers
who were crossing the court-yard hidden iu their cloaks. Yet
II
'it-.-' '
•////;
VK (iMTi: ni: /;/.' l^7.7.".v.v/•:.
ittSl
altlb.ii'h li>' ;i|>i>.'anMl not to sec thnii. I )-.\rt:.-i,;in -1^1 ii.it l..sc
si-ht ui tl.nn, and ■ hilc Ii.'sI.mmI whistliu- tli.' ..LI inusk.'te.M- ^
luaivh wlii.h h.' iviium.iIm'I.-.I only on sj lal ...caMons, li.'
.livnu-.l :in.l .■alcuhitcl in advanc' tli.- ..utl.ui'>t ..1 w.'.'pin- a:..!
iui"('r wlii.'h woul.l break out on Louis' ictmn.
Thf Kill" ent.'ivd La ViiUi.Mv's ro.Mii. l»ut iindui- it .Mnpty,
■in.l tlif Im"i not t...i.dH'.L h.' l..-i,'aii t.. Ix' uu.ms.v. an.l .mH.mI
M.,utalais. 'I'iu- latlfr .•am.' .ini.-kly. an.l hvv aM..ni.liiii.Mit was
PniKtl t.. tin. Kin^'-s. All sh.> .■..uM t.dl Ins .NL.j.-^ty was that,
slu> tl.ou^'lit she ha.l h.-anl La Valli.-'ir wiM.p.n- a jait .d th.-
ni^ht; lint knowing that his >Li.ifsty had n'turu.'.l, sh-- ha.l
not .lart'il to tiiul ont. , , , ,
'• r.iit," askn.l tho Kin'4. " wheie do you think sln^ has ^'.)nf .
.. Sue'." r.'idu'.l Montalais, " Louise is very scntini.Mital I
iK.ve .'It.Mi known her t.. rise at .lawn and <j;o into the garden;
iierhaps she is there this morning."
This seemed very likely to the King, who inimcdiat.dy de-
sceiuled in seairh ui the runaway.
DWrtagnau saw that lie was pale, and that he was talking
volubly to his companion.
L.iu'is set out in the direction of the gardens.
Saint-Aignan i'oUowed, out of breath.
IV Vrtagnan did not leave his wind..w, though he still
whistled, an.l appeared to note nothing, while as a matter ot
fact, he saw everything. , , r
'•Well, well,"' he murmured, when the King lia.l disap-
pcare.l, " his ^L'ljestv's passion is stronger than I ha.l sui^iosed.
Apparently things "arc happening which di.l not exist in
Madeiu.)iselle de Manciui's reign."
A quarter of an hour later the King again came in sight
He had searched everywhere and was out ot breath, but ot
course had found no trace of La Valliere. Saint-Aignan t..l-
hiwe.l him, fanning himself with his hat, and m a weary t..ne
asking iiif.)rmati..n of every .me he met.
.\Luucamp was just returning fr.nu F.H.tainebleau. He ha.l
made the trip in short stages; where others ha.l taken six
hours for it, he had nee.le.l twenty-four. , ^ • .
" ILive y.ni seen Madem..iselle de la Valliere ? asked Samt-
Aignan. ^ i ti • i
To which ^Luiieamp, always dreamy ami abstracted, tiunk-
iug Saint-Aignan had asked ab.uit De Guiche.^ replied :
" Thank you, the count is somewhat better."
Tin: AMH \ss I /u;A>.s-.
r.'.n
Ami 111' Uf|it cm ti. till- Miitci liiiinlifi-. 'I'Ihto lio fninnl
I>'Arla>,Mi;iii. wiiMm lie iiucstioiu-il ;is tn tliP fiieiitfinMl look nii
llie Kiii„'s lac c. l)'Ai-ta;,'iiHii ic|ili('il that In- was iniNtaUtMi .
tliat 1.UI1I-, (III till- ((iiitraiy, \va> \civ lij^lit-liiMili'ii.
l''.i,L,'lit (i"cl(ick struck. The Kiii.i,' usually tuok liis lui'ak
!'a-t ill tliiit lidur. it was (Ifcicfd by itii|uettt' that lu-
Majcsly .shiMilil always lie huiiLrry at that time. Thf humI
was st'ivcd at a small tahlc in his slcfiiin^'-nxim, and was sdim
over.
Samt-Ai^Miaii, tfoiu wiiom lie did not wisli to lie sejiarated.
Iiflil the napkin Inr him. 'riieii In; attended to some mili-
tary audiences. Meanwhile lie sent Saint-Aitjiian to make
turtlier seaicli ; and busy, an.xi.ms, still watcliiiii,' for tlie re-
turn of the latter, who had sent his attendants to .scour the
country, and who had i^one there himself, I^oiiis waited until
nine ii'cliick.
.\s the clock struck he went into his cabinet. The ambassa-
dors arrived at the tiist stroke of tlie (dock. .\t the last stroke
the (lueeii,'. and Madame apiieared. There wert! three amlias-
sadors from Holland and two from Spain. The Kitig i,danced
around and saluted them.
At that moment Saint-Ai.i,nKUi entered the room. To Louis
his was a much more .miiortant arrival than had been that
of the ambassadors, notwitlistandin^' their number and the
countries from which they had come. So before anvtliin;,' else
Louis looked iiHiuiriiii^dy at Saint-Aignan who decisivelv shook
his head in si','n of •• no."
The King's si length well-nigh forsook him, but as the eves
of all were on him he made a great effort and asked tlie am-
bassadors to speak. Thereupon one <d the Spanish dejuities
made a long address, in which he set forth the advantages of an
alliance with Spain.
The King interrupted hii.i.
" -Monsieur, I trust that what is good for France is good for
Spain a.s well."
Tliese words, and especially the tone in which they were
uttered, made the ambassador turn ]iale and tlie (|ueeiis blush,
for they were both Spanish ; their pride (d' birth and nationaluy
was wounded.
The ambassador from Holland aro.sc to speak complaining
of the prejudices which the King showed for the government of
his country.
ll
•i ■ 5
■).". [
iiii: \i'n\ti'i: ni: /:/: \',i:i.i)\\r:
'I'lif I\iii^; iiiti'ri-u]itc(l hiiii alsii.
" Moiisinir." said lie, •• it is st!aii.;c that \ cii liavc cuiui' licit'
ti) cniiiiilaiii, will ,1 1 am tlif one whu lia\i' HMsmi In rnniplaiii,
aM<l v»'t, as vnii si'c, I have nut duiK' so."
" \'iiii cuiiiiilain. Sir(!'.'" said the aiiiliassadnr. "And ut
what ■."■
Tilt' Kin^c siiiili'd liitinly.
•• Woidil yiiii lilaiiic im-. inniisii-ur.'' said In- " for haviii'^'
prcjiidiii's a.,';Mnst a yiivcniiiit'iit wliirh aulliuii/tfs ;iiid iiiDluft.s
IJubiJL' iiisiiltcis '.' "
" Siri' : ■'
•• I t,'!l ynii,'' said tin' l\in',', ^^mwiii;^' aiv^'iy at th()iii,'lit of
liis own trmihlc more than lifraiiM' of the iiolitii'al i|wi'stioii ;
•■ I trP yoii that Holland is a iefiij,'('. for all whu hale iiu', and
t'spi'cially for all who iiijnri' in",''
•• (»h, Sin-: "
'• Ah, voii want lu'oots. do yon '.' W'l'll, thvy can easily
lie had. Whence come the>e insolent iianiphlets which repre-
sent me as a monarch without >;loiy or authority '.' ^'our ]iress
j;roaiis with them. If I had my secretaries here I would
([iiote for vou the titles of the works with the names of their
|uintcis."
• Sire." replied the amhassador. •• a pamphlet is not the work
of a nation. Is it fair for a i,'rcat l^iii:-,' like your .Majesty to
hold a \'reat peojile respoiisilile for the act of some luiscreaut.s
who are starving to death '.' '
•• Yes, [ grant that. nioii>ieur. I'.ut when tlic Mint of
.Vnisterdiim ci ins meihils to my dishonor, is that too the act of
madmen '.' "'
" Medals'.'" stammered the ambassador.
'• Medals," repeated the King, looking at Colbert.
'• ^'ollr Majesty must be very sure — " ha/arded tlie Dutch-
man.
The I\ing still looked at Colbert; but tlie latter ap-
peared not to understand and was silent, in spite of tlie
provocation of the I\iiig. Thereupon DWrtagnan apjiroached,
and dsawing from liis pocket a coin wliiidi he handed to the
King:
" Here is the medal your Majestv is looking for." said
he.
■["he King took it, and saw, with those eyes wliicli since he
had been lu'ster had only looked into the heights, i'.n insoleut
/•'//.• 1.1//. I.s.s thoJi.s.
• i.to
I
miiiK't' ifprfseiifiiij,' H,)lhiii,l Ntoiijiin^' Mi., smi, likf .Fosluia,
witli tlif lullowiiij,' IfLffiid :
•' /// (■<>//.«//'(/'/ Ill in, slliit .so/."
" III my |.i.vM lie., till- .SUM i.s .-,tn|.|M-,l '. " cn.'d tl,.' Kiii'^', pii-
ni^'i'il. '• \ nil will iHit (Ifiiy It. I .sii| |,(.,f."
" .\iii| tlii> I. III.' sun," s;iiil I)".\itii';ii;ui.
\VlltMt.U|H,|, ll,. |,(nUlt'(i to tlu- M.ll (111 tllf |i;ill.'ls (if till'
ralunn, an imiiIiI.mu if|MMtc(l and ivsjiltMid.-iit, wlnil, cmts-
whclc showed Its slild-rh liiotto: •■ .\i ,■ /,/ ii ri/,iis ;,ii,„ir."
Louis' au-i-r, aii^'iucnti'd by tlic (■.xcitiMin-ut ,',1 l,,s own
iui\al.- -ri.-r, had no n [of tiiis uddi-d tu.d m ordn- to devour
••Vfi-yflun- ■ton- M. .11 his eyes shoii,. the li-lit of a .luanel
rea.ly to lile,,k out. A ;,'l;ilice flom Coll.eit eliecked the ll^in^'
Stollll.
The ainlMssadoi- inurinured exi uses. He said that 110 iidVr-
eiiie was to he drawn li,uii the vanity (d' iiati<ins; that llojlaiul
wa.s proud at liavini,'. with so tew resoiiires. sustained litu' posi-
tion as ;i Kival nation, even a;,'aiiist iuii,dity kind's, and tliat if
a little smoke iiad dazed his lellow-countryiueu, he he,u,-u'i'd the
Kinu' to rori,dve their eonditiou.
Louis appeared to he seekin.4 advice He looked ai Colli.u't,
wlio remained unmoved; fh(n at l)'.\ita','iiaii. who shni--ed his
.shoulders. This action was the tlirowiiiLC aside ot the loek
whiidi kejit in (dieek the an,i,'.u- of the Kiie.,', alreadv loiij,' re-
strained.
Every one. m.t knowing,' to wliat that aiiL^'er miudit lead, ju'c-
st-rved a mournful silence. The .seeoinl amhassador to<,k ad-
vaiita.i;e id' it to Iu'Lcin Ids pxeuses.
While he was speaking, and while the I\iii<:. who liy de-,'ree.s
had liecoiiie al)S(U-lie(l in his own jtersonal th.iui,dits, was hear-
ing the anxious voire as a distracted man hears tlie plash of
a watei-fall, H'Artagnan, who liad .Saint-Aignair at his lelt,
drew near and in a voiee mpant to arouse tlie King said :
" Have you heard tlie news, count '.' "'
" ^Vhat iiew.s?" said Saint-Aignan.
'• Why. the news aliout La Valli.'re: "
The King gave a start, and invcjlimtarily took a step in tne
direction of the two speakers.
" What has liappened to La Valli.ue •."• asked Saint-Aiguan,
in a tone that may easily be imagineii.
"The poor eliild has entered a convent!" said D'Arta-
gnau.
556
THE riCOMTE DE BRAn Er.OX.XE.
' » t'
W^
CitUti
" A cnuvtMit .'■' criod Saint-Aifjnan.
'< A convent '."■ oxclaiuied tlio Kiuir, in tlip midst of thf
anibassiidov's harangue.
Then, undf r j)rpssure of etif|iiottp, lio le-jjaincd cnntrol of
himself, hut still listened.
" What convent '.' ■■ asked Saint-Ai^;nan.
" That of the Cai'nielites at < 'liaill(7t.''
" Whom the devil did you hear it from ? "'
" From hersidf.'"
" Have you seen lier ? "
'' I was the one who took her to the Carmelites."
The KiuiT did not h)se a word cf this; ]iis heart tluohljed
and lie bet,'an to change color.
" l!ut why did she run away '' " asked Saint-Aignan.
"Because the jioor girl wa.s driven from court"'vesterday,"
said D'Artagnan.
Scarcely had lie uttered these words before the l^iug made
an imperious gesture.
'•Enough, monsieur," said lie to the ambassador. •• JOuou-ii I "
Then approarliing the cajitain. he asked :
" Who said that La Valliere has entered a convent '.' ''
'• .M. d'.Vrtagnan," said the favorite.
'•Is that tJ'ue '."" asked the King, turning to the muske-
teer.
" .\s true as truth can be."
The King clinciied his hands and turned pale.
" ^'ou added something else, M. d'Artagnan." said he.
" I do not remember. Sire."
•• Vou adiled that ^rademoi.selle de la Valliere had been
driven from court."
" Yes, Sire.''
" And that is true, too?"
"Ask if it is ?iot, Sire."'
" .\sk wliom '.' "
|'<»h ! " sai.l nWrtagnan, like a man excusing liimself.
The King starte<l up, leaving the aniliassadors, ministers,
courtiers, and jioliticians.
The (pieen mother rose; she had heaid ev.'rvthing, or what
she had not lieard she liad gues.sed.
-Machime. weak from anger and fear, strove to rise as well as
the <p.ieen mother, liiit .she .sank into her armrhair, which sue
instinctively i»ushed ba<'k.
<!' 1
CHAILLOT.
667
" Messieurs,"' said the Kin?,', " the ;iii(lience is at an end. I
will make known my answer, or ratlier my will, to Spain and
Holhind.'"
Ami with a second imperious gesture he dismissed the
ambassadors.
" Take care, my son,'" said the queen mother, indit,'-
nantly, "take care; you do not seem to be fullv masler of
yourself.'"
"Ah, .Madame," roared the young lion with a startlin-^
gesture, -if I am not master of myself I will be, I promise
you, and of tiu)se wiio insult me too. Come, .M. d"Arta-
gnan I ''
And he left the room in the midst of the amazement and
the terror of all.
Louis descended the stairs and started to cross the court-
yard.
" Sire,"' said D'Artagnan, "your Majesty is going the wrons
way." " ' °
" No, I am going to the stables."
" That is unnecessary, Sire ; I have horses all ready for your
]Vrajesty." " ''
The King answered his servant by a look : but that look
promised more than the ambition of three D'Artagnaus would
have dared to hope.
II
CHAPTER LXXV.
rHATLLOT.
ALTHor<iH they had not been bidden, Manicamp and Mali-
corne had followed the King and D"Artagnan. They were two
very intelligent men: but Jfalicorne, from and)ition, often
arrived too early ; Manicam[), from idleness, often too late
This time they arrived just on time.
Five horses were ready. Two were ridden by the Kincr
and J) Artngnan ; two l>y Manicami) and Malicorne. A groom
rode the fifth. The whole processiim set off at a gallop."
IT.Artagnan had artually dioseii the horses liimTiclf-' re<'u-
lar lovers' horses: horses which did not run, but winch
■ V ■ -I
^m
658
77//-; ViroMTh: /)/■: I'.nAdEI.OWE.
flew. Ten mimites lutor tli avalcade, in a wliirlwimi of dust
arrived at Chaillot. '
Tlie King literally hurled hiinstdf from his horse. ]?ut
rapidly as lie aeeoiniilished tlie feat, he found I)'Artaj,'nan at
tlie horse's hri.Ile ahead of him. The Kiiii,' gave a"nod of
thanks to the musketeer and threw the bridh^ to the groom.
Then he hurried to the vestibule and pushing open the (h>or
violently ertered the [larlor.
Manicami), .Malicoine, and the groom waited outside; l)"Ar-
tagnan followed his master.
^Ori entering the parlor the first object which struck the
King was Louise, not kneeling, but crouclu-d at the foot
of a great stone crucifix. The young girl lay on the cold
stone, scarcely visible in the dark nidiu, which was lighted
only by c narrow grated wintlow half hidden by climbing
vines.
She was alone and apparently lifeless, as cold as the stone
on whi(di she lay. When he saw her, the King thought she
was dead, and gave a terrible cry which made D'Artagnan rush
forward.
Louis had already put liis arm about her, an<l together with
l)'Artagnan heliied to raise the poor girl, whom the torpor
of death had already seized. Louis lifted her in his arms,
and with his kisses warmed her hands and her icv temjiles.
l)'.\rtagnan rang a bell, whereupon the Carmelite; sisters
rushed in.
The holy women uttered scandalized shrieks at sight of the
men carrying a woman in their arms. The Mother' Superior
hurried in with the others. But more worldly rliaii even the
court ladies, in spite of all her austerity, at first glance she had
recognized the King from the res]iect shown him bv those
present, as well as from the masterful manner with which he
thrust every one aside, and had withdrawn, which was her way
of rot compromising her dignity. I^ut she sent bv the nun's
all kinds of cordials. Hungarian waters, and mint, ordering
besides that the doors be closed.
It was time; tlie grief of the King was becoming noisy
and hopeless. Ife had just decided to send for his jdiysician
when I>a Valliere recovered consciousness.
On opening her eyes the first thing she saw was the King at
iier feet. Slie probably did not recognize him, for she gave a
mournful siirli.
■*1)
CH AIL LOT.
5h9
Louis l..,.k(>d Pa-erly at hor. Finally her wanrlerin- -lanre
resttHl on nn>. She rec.gni/e.l liim, aiul strove to vv'.ei.fh her-
selt Iroin Ins arms.
"What!" siie murmure.l, " tlie saeritice not yet accom-
plished . •'
"Oil im : „o : " cried the King, •' and it shall not be accom-
plished, I swear !
She rose, weak and broken down as she was
^^"^Kut It must be,'- said she; "it must be; do not stop
" Let you sacntiee yourself ! I : '' exclaimed Louis : " never '
never I , - .
'• CJood : '■ murmured D'Artagnan, " it is time to leave.
Jhe luoment they begin to speak one need not listen "
-D Artagnaii withdrew, and the lovers were alone
"Sii^ '• continued La Valli,'.re, '• not anotlier word, I beseech
you Do not rum the only future I can hope for, that is, my
satety ; do not sacrifice your own for a cat)rice "'
" A ca])r'('e ?" cried the King.
" Oh,;- said La Valliere, " now, Sire, for the first time 1 see
clearly in your heart."
" You, Louise ? "
" Yes, I ! "
" Fxplain yourself."
'• An inconiprehensible, unreasonable fancy may for the time
being .seem a sufhcierit excuse to you, but vou have duties
which are incompatible with your love for a poor -irl For
get me. ^ o . ^wi-
" Forget you ! I ! "
" You have already done so."
"I will die rather": -'
"Sire, you cannot love one whom you consented to kill last
night 111 ,s() cruel a manner."
" What do you mean ? Explain."
" Why did you ask me yesterday morning to love you " Tell
me what did you promise me in exchange? Never to let a
night go by without making up with me in case you wer'e
angry.
jealous;.""'^''' ™'' ^'''"''' ""' ^^""^'' •" ^ ''^' "'=^<^ ^"tb
"Sire jealousy is an evil thought, which crops up like a
weed when once it is cut down. You will be jealous again!
'm.,
turn
Mm
r,GO
Tin: vicoM'i'E i>i' /!I:a(,i:lo.\\i-:
mo. I'>o iiiorcit'iil iiml let lup die
aiul will sui'ccimI in killiii,'.
IldW."
" Another wm-d like that, lumleinoiselle, ami you will see ine
succniuh at your feet."
" No, no, Sire. I kno'.v my value better. Brlicve me, a'ul
do not ruin yoursell' tor a poor t;irl whom every one de.siiise.s."'
••Oh! tell me who accuses you! Who are they '.' ''
••I have no complaiiits to make a^'aiust any one, Sire ; I
accuse only myself. Ailieu, Sire I Vuu compromise me in
speakin;j; thus."
•' Take care. Louise ; in saying that you reduce me to
despair. Take care I "
" Oh 1 Sire, Sire ! Leave me with (iod, I beseech you."
" I will snatch you from (!od himself ! "
" 15ut in the first i>lace,"' cried the poor girl, " snatch me from
those ferocious enemies who have designs on my life and my
honor. If you have strength enough to \ me, have
enough to protect me ; but no, she whom you you love,
they insult, they laugh at, and send away."
And the innocent girl, driven by her despair to making that
accusation, threw up her arms and sobbed aloud.
"They drive you away !" cried the King. "That is the
second time I have heard those words."
" Ignominiously, Sire. Vou see very well I have no pro-
tector' but God, no consolation but prayer, no refuge but the
cloister."
" You shall have my palace, my court. Oh, fear nothing,
Louise ; those who yesterday drove you away, to-morrow shall
tremble before you.' What have I said, tomorrow'.' Already
this morning I have displayed anger and uttered threats. And
I have not yet exhausted the mine. Louise ! Louise '. you
shall be avenged cruelly. Tears of bl(«id shall pay for your
tears. Only tell me the names of your enemies."
"'Never I never I "
" How can you expect me to strike, then ? "
" Sire, your hand would turn aside from th. ... whom you
would have to strike."
"Oh. you do not know me:" cried Louis, exasjjerated.
"Rather than retract I would burn my kingdom and curse
niv family. Yes, I wo'.ild strike down even my own arm. if
it'were cowardly enough to refuse to .annihilate everything
hostile to the sweetest woniaii on earth.''
CHAILLOT.
6H1
As ho spoke Louis struck liis fist violently ai,rainst the
oaken iKutitiun, which irave forth a lu-,'ui)rious sound"
La ValluMv was Irigliteucl. The an-c of this ali-nowcrful
youn- man had m it soui^'thinu' iMi,>osin- and sinister, because
like that ol the temiK'st, it couhl he fatal. She. wlio tiiou-'ht
her ,;.riet unciuallcd. was coii.iuered by that -rief wiiich
sliowed itself in threats and violence.
'■ Sire," said she, " for the last time I beseech vou to ro
away : already the quiet of this convent has streii^'thened me
1 led mv>ell calmer under (Jods hand, (io.i is a protector
bei(,ie whom falls every petty human wickedness. Sire, once
more, lea'-e me with (Jod."
'• Then," cried Louis, •• say franklv that yon have never
loved me: say that my humility, my rei>entance, Hatler vour
}u;ide, but that you are not moved bv luv L,r,.ief. Say that the
Kui^r of France is no lon-er for y(,u a lover whose tenderness
could ma.ve you happy, but a despot whose ca[>rice has broken
everv feeling m your heart. Do not sav that vou seek God •
s;.y that you are Heein- from the K ,,- No.'Go.I is no ac-
complice to luHexible resolutions: (iod admits i-enitence and
reiuors(>; he tor.t^'ives, he wants us to love cue ;inother "'
On hearin- these words Louise was torn with emotion,
ihey made her blood burn like hre.
" I5ut did vou not understand '.' " said slie
"What'.'"
" Did you not understand that I was driven away, scorned
despised '.' "" . ? >
" I will make you the most res]iected, the most adored, the
most envied :vt my court."
" Show me that you h >e not ceased to love me "
" How ? "
" V>y leaving me."
'• I will prove it to you bv never leavinfj you."
"But do yon think I could allow that, Sire^ Do vou
think that I would let you dechire war on vour whole family"
Do you think tliat for me I would let vou discard mother, wife
sister '' " " '
" Ah, at last you have named them ! So thev are the ones
wno did tlie mischief! ]',y God Almighty. L will punish
them I o V X
" And that is why th- future frightens me: that is why 1
refuse everything; tlnit is why I do not want you to avenge
Vol II. —36
\>;
J urn*
c
562
THE VICOMTE DE RRAGELONNE.
me I Kn(>iit,'li tears I eiidULjh sorrow I ciion^h coiniilaints I (Jli,
never will I briuj^ thoe upon any one. whoever it may he I
I liave fjrieved too much, wept too iiiueh, suffered too mueh
my^elt•:•'
"And my tears, my pain, my eom plaints — do yovi eonut
them as iiot]iin<^ ? "'
'■ Do not si)eak so to me, Sire, in Heaven's name I 1 need
all my strcnf,'th to fultil my saeriliee I "
•' Louise, Louise ! I heseedi you I commaml, order, avenge
yourself, or lorj,Mve ; hut do not desert me ! "'
" Alas I we must i)art, Sire I ''
" Then y()\i do not love me '.' ''
" Uh, (iod knows liow much I'"
« It is false, utterly false ! "'
'' If I dill not love j'ou. Sire, I would let you do as you wish.
I wouhl let you avcu;,'e me. In exehan:,'e for the insult I ha\e
reeeived, I would aecept the sweet triumph you sui,'gest I
Whereas, as you see, I do not even desire the eonipensation of
your love, — your love whieli is my life,— notwithstanding the
fact tliat I wanted to die, thinking that you no longer loved
me : "
'• Yes, yes, I know it now I 1 realize it all. You are the
holiest, the most pious of women. No one is as wtnthy as
you, not only of my love and my resi)ect, but of the love and
the respeet of every one. .\nd no one shall be loved as you
will he, Louise I no one shall have the iiiHuence over nie that
you will have. Yes, I swear, I would break the world like so
much glass, if the world troubled me. You tell nie to he ealm,
to forgive ? Well, I v.ill lie calm. You wish to reign by gen-
tleness and kindness ? I will be gentle and kind. Merely tell
nu' how I am to act, and I will obey ! "
'• Ah, what am I, a poor girl, to dictate one word to a King
such as yon '.' "
" You are my life and my soul ! Does not the soul regulate
the body ? '"
'•Oh, you love me then, Sire'."'
" On my knees, with clasped hands, with all the strength
God has given me. I love you enough to give you my life
gladly if yon but say the word ! "
" You love me '.'"
" Yes, yes."
" Then I have nothing else to wish for on earth. Your
CHAtLi.nr.
Otj8
I li.-ivf Iiad in this lilV all
li'':''l. Sire, and let us say adieu '.
tlic j,)y due nit'.'"
••oil, no, say that your life is but he^nnnin^ .' Your hat.i.i-
i.ess was not yesterday ; it is to-day, to-morrow, forever'
I he future IS yours ; everythiuj,' that 1 have is v<.urs • \ wav
with these ideas of rartin-. this soudu.. desna.r": Love is ouV
<.<M ,t IS the need o. our souls. You shall' live fur me as I
will live for you. '
And .sinking down before her, he kissed her knees with in-
expressible traiisjH,rts of jov and gratitude
"Oh. Sire : Sire ! all this is a dream.-'
" Why a dream '.' "'
'• Because I cannot go back to court. I':xiled. how could I
see you any more ? Is it not better to enter a <onvent and
hide there m he joy of your love the last throbs of your
heart and vour last avowal " '"
wherfl'Jall-'"' "'"^ ^-->^I^'-' "-^J who exiles, then,
'•Oh Sire, something wliich reigns above kings — the world
an.l public opinion. Keflect, you cannot love a woman who
has been exile<l ; one on whom your mother has imposed a sus-
picion, one whom your sister has bowe.l under a chastisement,
is unworthy of you. '
" One who belongs to me, unworthy ? "'
" Yes, that is just it. Sire ; the moment slie belongs to vou
your mistress is unworthy." "
wl'li^^ ■ ^'""i" n'"*" 'f'^' ^''"''^' '''"^ J'°" ''^'•e 'leii'-^acy itself.
Well, you shall not be exiled."
" Oh ! it is easy to see you did not hear Madame "
" I will appeal to my mother."
"Oh : you did not see your mother "
then-' *''°' ^''°' ^°'"''' ^"^ '''''^ ^"" ^^ ^S^'"«t y«"'
" Yes yes, poor Louise, who was already bent beneath the
storm when you ame and completed her destruction."
" Oh, forgive me."
"You can influence neither the one nor the other ; believe
me, the evil is without remedy, for I will never suffer you to
use violence or authority." ^
wiilT''"' ^T-'^' V" -';',^" *° P''"^'^ how much I love you I
will do one thing : I will go to Madame "
« You ? "
i!
i
5fi4
t:ii: ii'oM/r: i>i: r.u \(,i:i nwi-:.
X
" I will IH-eviIll I'll lirf In takt' liiirk luT seiltOIU'O. !. Wlli
force lu'f tu ilti this."
'• Force her '.' < Hi. no ! no I "
" Then I will lieiid her.""
Loili.se shook iier lie:ui.
•• I will imploie, it' iiecess;ivy," said Louis. " Will yon
V)plieve ill my h>ve alter tiiat '.' "
Louise looked u]i.
"Oil I never tor me sliall you luuiiijiate yourselt ; let me die
rather."
Louis I'ondered ; his lace assumed a i^doomy e\[iiession.
" 1 will love yon as much as you ha\'e loved me." said he.
" I will sutler as much as you iia/e sufteied. This shall he my
expiation in your eyes. ( 'ome, mademoiselle, let us le,i\e these
petty eunsiilerations ; let us he j^reat like (Mir ^iicf. stioii;^ like
our love I "
Ami as he s[>ok(> lie took her in his arms and held her close.
"My only happinos .' my lite I ('(jme with me!" said he.
.She i.iade a final elt'ort, in wliicli she no longer concentnited
all her will-power. I'or that was already coiupiered. hut al! her
stren^'th.
'•No!" she replied, we.-ikly, "no, no! I should die of
shame ! "
"No, yon shall return as a (pieen. No one knows of your
having gone — only D'Avtagnan."
" And so lie betrayed me, too ? "
'• How' so '.' "
" He swore — ''
" I swore to say nothing to the King," said D'Artagnan,
putting his handsome head in at the half-open door, " and I
kept my word. I spoke to ^L de .Saint-Aignan ; it was not my
fault if tlie King overheard, was it. Sire '.' ''
"No, and you will forgive him," said the King.
La Valliere smiled and held out her frail white hand to tlie
muskeeter.
" >L d'Artagnan."' said the King, delighted, "send for a
carriage for mademoiselle."
" Sire." replied the captain, "the carri.age is waiting."
" ( >h. you are a model servant!" cried Louis.
" It has taken time for you totind it out." murmured D'Ar-
tagnan. flattered, however, hy the ju'aise.
La Valliere was convinced. After some hesitation she let
• lir
I
(
i
I
AfAn.i}fE.
r>e,fi
lierself U^ Icl ,i\vay. holpless. l,v her n.v:il lover. l',Mt :,t tlie
l.arl..r door, just :is tliry w.t.' h'.ivuv^, si.e lu'oko lro,„ the
iinns ot th.' Km- und went buck to the stone cnuitix. Kiss-
ing it, she niiiriiiine.l :
" ^^l ''V'l' '^'''"" '"^^^ •■•'"^'1 '■■'^; :i'"' Thou hast repulse.l
me Hut Ihy grace is intinite. Nev-rtludess, when I return
• lo rhou fo!g,.t that 1 ever went away; tor when 1 eonu- back
It will be never tn leave Thee again."'
The King cmiM not restrain his emotinn and D'Ai-t.^nian
wiped away a tear. Then Lo.us led awav the voung°girl,
itted her into the carriage. an,l putting D-Artagnan opp.xsite
her. mounted hrs horse, and spurrnl in the direeti.m of the
lalais-Koyal ()„ h,s arrival he sent to usk Madame if she
would accord him a moment's audience.
I
CHAPTER LXXVI.
MAD.VME.
Fhom the M-ay in which the King left the audience-hall the
east eear-.sighte.l could .livine a war. The ambas.sadors
themselves, but little informed as to private affairs, had under-
stoo<l as being lev(dle<l against them the celebrated words •
If I am not master of myself, I will at least be master of
those who insult me." Fortunately for the destiny of France
matte '" ^'""^ followed them in ordei- to explain
But when the queens and ^radame, perfectly informed as to
what was going o„ i„ their households, heard those threaten-
ing worns, they with.lrew in great fear and anger. Madame
especially, realize.l that the royal anger would fall on her'
and since .she was brave an.l exce? ivelv haughty, instea.l of
seeking help from the queen mother, she retired to her own
rooms, ,t not without anxiety, -^t least without any intention
of ayoidng the coming struggle. From time to time Anne of
Austria sent messengers to ask if the King ha<l returne<l.
flilrnf .""'" ' '' ?'' ^'''''''' •'•'^'^ preserve,! regarding the
flight of Lomse was the presage of many troubles caused by
the proud and irritable disposition of the King.
But Madame held out against all these rumors, shut herself
I
f
5G0
riii: vicoMiE />!■: uii.iaEi.oWK.
iij) ill litT own ap:iitiiiHiit, -.mmiioiicil Moiitulais, ainl in a per-
t't'cliy uiiiiiovcd vnici' :i>ki'il the ;,'irl to l;ilk. to lu'r iibont the
iitt'.iir. .lust :is tiic «'lo(|U(Mit .Moiitaiais ciKlcd Willi nil sorts of
oratorical iircciiitioiis ami was rt'coiiiinciKliiii,' to Madaiiif. it not
in actual wonls, at ItMst in sjurit, that slic slmuld show tol-
erance, M. Maiicoriit! inailc iiis apjicaranct' to ask tiic jiriucess
tor an auilicnce.
Mniitaiais' worthy Iricm
liveliest oiiiotion. It was inipossibhi tn be niistakeii.
interview asked tor liy tii
liore on his face tln^ marks of tiit.
The
IviiiL,' was to he (Uie ol the mo>t
interesting chapters in this history of the hearts of kiiii;s and
of men.
Mailame w.is troubled by her brother-in-law's arrival. She
liad not exiiected jiini s(j soon ; in tact, she had not expected a
direct attack on Louis' part.
Xow v/oinen wlio are clever at- indirect warfare are always
less cl»;ver ainl less stron;^ when it is a cpiestion of facing a
battle.
.Madame, as we liave said, was not one to retreat — she
possessed the o[)pi)site characteristic. She had an exagger-
ated idea of bravery; therefore this message frcun the l"iing
brought by Malicorne seemed to her like a truniiiet sounding
hostilities. She proudly picked up the gauntlet.
Five iniiiutes later the King ascended the stairs, lie was
red in the face from having ridden fast. His tlusty, disonlered
clothes contrasted strongly with the fresh, dainty toilet of
Madame, who, in s|)ite of her r(_)Uge, was pale.
Louis made no preamble; he sat (U)wii. Monlalais with-
drew. >[adame seated herself opposite the King.
" Sister,'' said Louis, " you know tliat Madenioiselle de la
Valliere ran away this morning, and that she took her grief
and despair to a convent '.' "
As he spoke the King's voice was straiigeh' soft.
" Your ^Lljesty is the first to tell me this," replied
Madame.
'• I should have su])posed that you had heard it this morning
at the reception of the ambassadors," said the King.
" From your emotion, Sire, I imagined that something un-
usual had taken place, but I did not know just what."'
The King was frank, and went straight to the point.
" Sister," said he, " why did you send away Mademoiselle
de la Valliere '.' "
I
AfA /1. 1 .»//:.
567
" Because lier coniliict (lisplcastMl mo," ropli.-d M i(i;iin.>
dryly. '
Tho Kini,' Ki-ew- ml, and in his oyos tlit-n' j,';itIi.T.'d a tin-
which all of Madamo's coura^'e I'uiild' .scarcclv sustain. Uut he
went oil :
" A kind woman like you, sist.u-, iiuisL have a verv f,'oo(l
reason for expelling and di.sgraciii;.,' lu-t only a young girlThut
her whole family. Vou know that the ,:t'v has its "eves open
as to the conduct of the ladies at court. 'l\, dismiss a maid of
honor is to attribute to licr some crime, or at least some fault.
\\liat is the crime (U- the fault of which .Mademoiselle de la
Vallieie is guilty '.' "
" Sin.Tyou are .Ma(h'moiselle de la Vallicre's protector." said
Madame, c.d.Uy, •• I will ex[)laiii some things to vou whiidi I
have the right to withhold."
"Even from the King himself :"' cried Louis, with an an-'ry
gesture. " ■^
" Vou called me your .sister," said Mailame, '• and I am in
my own njoius."
"That makes no difference ! "' .said the young monarch,
a.shaiiie(l of having lost his temper. •' Neither'you nor any one
else, .Madame, can say that he has the right to refuse to^Mve
nie an explanation." "
'• Since you have that feeling," said Madame, in dull anger,
"it only remains for me to bow before your Majesty, and keep
silent." '
" No, let us not equivocate."
" The protection you give to Mademoiselle de la Valli^re
does not conii)el respect."
" Let us not equivocate, I say ; you know verv well that as
head of the nobility in France I ought to look after the
honor of a family. Drive away Mademoiselle de la \'alliere
or any one else — "
iradame shrugged her slioulders.
'•Or any one else, I repeat," continued the King, "and
since you bring disgrace on this girl by so doing, I^'ask an
explanation of you in order to confirm or to annul the
sentence."
" Annul the sentence ! " cried .Madame, haughtily. " What !
when r have dismissed one of my attendants you order me to
take her back ? "'
The King was silent.
h i
6C8
////; vifiiMii: i»i: iii; {ci'J.oxsk.
Cttlli
" 'rii;it WMulil >1hi\v' III) j,'nMt i>nwt'r, Sue, but ail unset', iily
act."
'• .Madiiiiit' I ''
•■Oil, as a WMinaii I shdiild rovlt, at,'aiiish an abuse heyond
all ili,'nitv. I .shdulil no l<in;,'er lie a iirincess of the lilood. a
dauu'liter of a Uiii;,', hut tlie lowest of ereatures, mure liuni-
hled than tlu; servant who has been dismissed."
The Kinj,' started u|i in fury.
" Voii have no heart." he cried, "if you act in such a way
with me it may had me to act with equal st^veritv."
A random hall strikes liome at times.
These words, uttin^d liy the Knii,' without anv ulterior
motive, struck Madame and shook her for the moment. S(jme
(hiy she nuLjht fear retaliation.
••Well, Sii-e,"' said she. ••e\|ilain what 3'on desire."
" I ask. .Madame, what Mademoiselle de la Valliere did
afjainst you '.' '"
'• She is tho most artful intriguer I know; she caused two
friends to fi<.,dit a duel about her; she lias made herself talked
about in terms so disi,'raceful that the whole court frowns at
the mere sound of her name."
"She! she!" cried the K in:,'.
" IScneath a ;.;ciitle, hypocritical manner," couiinucd Madame,
'•she hides a deej) and schemiii},' spirit."
"She!"
" Vou may be deceived, oi.i, i. ■ [ knov,- licr. She h capa-
ble of causing,' trouble aiiKuii,' the nearest relatives and the
most intimate friends. Vou see she has already sown discord
between us."
"I protest — " saii^ the Kiiii,'.
"Sire, listen to this: we used to understand each other.
Now by her stories and false complaints she has turned
your Majesty against me."
•■ I swear, ' said the King, "that a bitter wt»rd has never
once escaped her lips. I swear that even in my anger she
would let me threaten no one. I swear that you have no mure
devoted or more resj)ectful friend than she is."
" Friend .'" said Madame, with an expression of supreme
disdain.
"Take care. Madame," said the King, "yon forget that yon
understand me, and that from now everything is equalized.
Mademoiselle de la Valliere shall he what I desire her to be.
.v,(/> I mi:.
;')tiO
Ay
.lid
" Sh,. is „nt, i „■„ ,„ it, ,1, 1..^,,,^ .^,„, ^„^,^ ^
film.-, not l(ir tii.' past."
•••Macl.tnH.. F l.;iv,. iHTM ku„l a;„l .■„„,., .sCnu,,. ,..t
"•^n-.., yoii hav.. uln,i,ly >ai,l tl.at tun... I Iriv," l,a,l the
'"•""■• '"fHlyu,, that I h„w h..tnr,. v„u.-
" li' lli.it <Ms.. will you say that Maa..innis..ll.. .1,. I^ \- .Ili.'.ro
may iftuni to \i^\i'r' "
''<'i whatMs... SirP, sinre ym, havo a thruu., to ..ff-r her •'
I nnof to., u,h,,n.,,.,r,aM,... „. ........t f s.u.h ,.,nver."
.. Nv,e7i ••" "'" •^'''' '••'""'"' ■^i'i'-'t- < •••^'"i >iH- a favor."
'■ Vo„ will ,lriv.MM.> to ., ,,..,. uart.u-.. u ith in v ianulv.-
•'"•l'av..afa.,uly withNvh.m. I ..a,, tak..'r..t,i.^,. "
••fs that a tlnraf.' Do y,.„ so far fupuM-f vn,„:,.|t-' Do
v.ui su|,,,ns.., ,1 y„u uvn. to rarrv th.' attn.nt'tu th-it noinf
tiKityour n>lativ..s w.mM „,,hnl,l ;-o„ - " ^ ^'
^^^/- Umst, Sire, that you will Un-J. ,„e to .lo „othu>;, unworthy
"I trust that you wiil reMUMiiher our frien.lship, an.l that
you will treat me as a brother." ' '
Madame i)aus.'d a moment.
"It is not .lisowniu- y.ni for n.y brother," said she "to
refu.se an lujMstfe to your Majesty." -"u sue, to
'• An iu; notice " "
atreii, — it tlie (jueens knew
"Come, come Henrietta, l.-t your heart speak. Ken.ember
tha you once love.l n,e. Ken.en.ber that the In.nru ear
ouj,'ht to be as mer.'iful as that of the Suv.Mvitrn M s er T
not be infle.xible with others ; f,.r,ive La ValHt':.''"^^^- ''"
1 cannot; she has offended me "
" But for me ? "
;;• Sire, for you I would do anythiuj,. on earth but that."
Then you drive me to despair. You make me turn to ^he
last resort of the weak. V..u wHl .hive me to aLger and
" Sire, I would advise you to be reasonable "
" Reasonable ? Sister, I no longer can be so."
" bire, for mercy's sake ! "
i I
570
•////■; vn'OMTi-: in-: int.nnj.osM:.
Vff--.'
JVUti
'• Si-;it'i-, ill pity ! 'I'his is tli(> \\y>\ tiiiic 1 have ever beggod.
SistiT. my niiiy lin})c lies in yiiu."
'•nil! Siri', are \nii \vt'c|iiiig '.' "
'• W'itli wrath ainl Imaiiliat'ain, yes. To have tu resort to
eiitrealy — I, tlieKiiiL;! Ail luy lite I >luill hate this iiioineut.
Sistei-, ill a siiinie secoiul you lia\>' iiunle lue suffer more
an,'iiisii tlian 1 had lo,eseeu in the greatest extremitv in
lite."
Ami the King rose ami gave full vent tcj Ins tears, whieh
were, ii'ileed, tears of anger ami of shame.
-Madame was imt toueiied, for the Ix-st women have no jiity
in their pride ; but, slie feared that tlie tears woiihi earry away
all the temlerin'ss tlial lay in ti'C lving"s heart.
"("oinmand. Sire.'' said slie ; •• and since you prefer mv
humiliation l.j your ow:: ex'en though mine lie pidilie and
voiirs lias oiilv m\self lor a witness, speak. 1 will obey the
Iving.
•• No, no, I lenri.'lta I "' eried I.oiiis, carried aw ay by gratitude,
"y(jii v.ili Inivt; yielded to the brother."'
■• I no longer liave a brother, since I oJM'y."
" J>() you want my whole kingdom in return '.' "
'• How yiui love," said she, " when you love !"
Louis did not reply. He liad taken her hand and was cov-
ering it with kisses.
" So," said he, "you will take back tins poor girl, you will
forgive her. you will realize the sweetness, the gentleness in
her heart '.' " "
" I v.-ill retain her in my househiM."
*• Xo, you will give her your friendsliip, my dear sister."
" I never loved her.*'
" Well, for love of nie yon will treat iier wtdl, will you not,
Henrietta '.' "
" I will treat her as your mistress I "
The King arose. I'.y t hose fatal words Ma(hune liad destroyed
the whole mei'it id' her sacrifice. The King owed her nothing
further. Mortally wotunh'd, he replied :
••Thank you, .Madame, 1 shall always remember tlie favor
you have .lone me." And saluting hei with affected formality,
Louis took his leave. I'assing btd'iue a mirror, he saw las red
eyes and sLamped his foot in anger, l^ut he was too late.
Malicorne and D'Artagnan, who were at the door, had seen his
eyes.
^fA DEMoisKLi.i: '.V // 1 M)Ki:i;cini.:r,
.71
"The Kin- li;is heen weo;)in.Lc," Ili<.ii-lit .M.iliconic.
I) Artiiyiiiiii respec'l fully aiiproachfa I.,,uis.
'; Sire,'- said he, in a h.u- tone, '• v.mi must take the private
stairway to return to vour apartments "
"WhvV ^ i
" 15eeause the (lust of the road has left its traces on vour
laee said DArta-iian. "Cuue, Sire, eonu" .' MurJioiir'-
he thou-ht, "when the Kin;,^ -Ives wav like a ehild, l.r tluuu
beware that bring grief to her who makes the Kin.' ers ' -
'I ■
CHAPTER LXXVn.
MADE.MOISKI.I.K I.K J.A VA I.I.I I>i:i;s II A M.K KKrillK.v.
Madamf. was not evil-hearted — she uas .,nly an-rv
The King was not rash — he was onlv in love. " "
Seareely had tlie two made this s.n[ of eompa-t which
ended in the reeall of LaVallii-re i>ef.uv ea.d, strove to -ain l.v
It. J he King wanted to see La Valliere every uistant^.f the
day. Madame, who had felr the King's an-er ever since the
scene in her room, would n,,t -ive up La X'allic.re witlnuit a
in
tlu; path of the
Struggle. Thus she .sowed dirticultie,-
King.
In short, to see Ids mistivss Louis was forced to i.av court
to his sister-m-law. In this plan lay Madame's entire uolh^v
As she had chosen .some one to second h.'r. and as tins some
one \vas Montalais, the King found that he was watche.l evcrv
time he went to Madames. He Avas surroun.led, and was
never left alone. In lier conversation ^Lidame sliowed a -race
ami spirit which cclij.sed everything. .Montalais i,,llowed
in Madaiiie's steps, and soon became insuiiportable to tlie
King.
That was what she liad expected.
Then she sent ^hilicorne, who found a chance to sav to the
Kmg^hat there was a very wretched woman at court The
King a,sked who it was. Malicorne replied that it was
Mademoi.selle de Montalais. "hereupon Lmiis answered th'at
it wa.s right for one to be unh ;i.py who made uih.n-s imhappv
Malicorne explained that Montalais had had her orders
The King opened his eyes. He noticed that Madame
bi-J.
THE VICOMTE DE HIiAGELOSNE.
^1
0f
iipi^Miva as soon as lit" api.eared ; that she was in the corridors
until at'lin- lie had gone; that slie escorted him to the door tor
tear he might speak to some of the mauls of honor in the ante-
chambers.
( >ne ev.Miin- she went too far. The King was seated m the
midst of the ladies, holding in his hand a note h.> wished to
slip into La Valliere's hands. Madame saw the note, and
divined his intention. It was very hard to prevent the King
from (h)ing what he thought l)est. I'.ut she must incvcnt his
going to La Vallicre, .-;aving •• How do you do to her and
dropping the note in lier lap, behind her fan or in her handker-
TheKin-was observant also, and suspected that she was
lavim' a trap for him. He arose and unaffectedly moved his
cliaiiMicar Mademoiselle de Chatillon, with whom he began to
jest Tlicv were making verses. From Mademoiselh; de C ha-
tillon he went to Montahds, then to Mademoiselle de ronnay-
Charentc. Then by a skilful turn he lound himselt seated in
front of La N'allierc. whom he completely hid.
Madame lu-etendcd to be very much occupied; she was alter-
in- a rtower design on a piece of tapestry. The King showed
the corner of the white note to La Vallieie, who opened her
handkerchi-f as nuicli as to say, <' Put the note here. ' Then
as the Kill had laid his own handkendiief on his chair, he was
skilful enough to drop it, ami La Valli(n'e placed her handker-
chi.-f on the chair. The King took it unostentatiously, put
thr n.itc in it. and laid it down again. There was wanting to
La Valli.M-e only the time to stretch out her liand and take the
haiclkcrchief with its precious deposit.
15;it Madame had seen everything. She said to Chatillon :
'•Chatillon, kindly pick up the King's handkerchief from
the Hoor." , t i- i
The young girl obeyed at once. Tlie King moved ; La \ al-
liere grew anxious, and the other handkerchief became visible
on the armchair. , • f ,, • i
" Ah ! pardon ! your Majesty has two handkerchiels, said
she. -, ,
Vnd the King was obliged to put into his pocket La \ al-
li.Mv's handkerchief as well as his own. Thus he gained a
souv.niir from his loved one. but his loved one lost a (jnatram
which had cost the King t.-n hours, and which probably was
worth a long poem to her.
.«' •4;
MA DIIMOISF.I.LE 's II A MtKKIK fllEF.
573
>railaiiK' lirul rontiived tho .anger of the King and the des-
l)air of I.a Valliere. It was indeseribable.
I>ut tlien there haiJpened sonietliing unexpected. When
tho King left to return to his own rooms, Malicorne, wlio in
some mysterious way had discovered how matters stood,
was in the antechamber. The antechambers of the I'.ilais-
IJoyal are naturally dark, and in the evening there was but
little formality at Madame's, consequently thev were ijoorly
liglded. ^ ^ I J
The King loved this half light. As a rule, love with which
the mind and the heart constantly are flaming does not like light
anywhere but in the mind and in the heart. So the ante-
chandiers were dark ; a single page carried a torch before his
Majesty.
The King was walking, slowly swallowing his anger.
Malicorne passed close to the King, almost touched him, and
asked pardon of him in perfect humility; but the King in a
very bad humor treated Malicorne badly, and the latter made
his escape noiselessly.
Louis went to bed, having had that evening some little
quarrel with the Queen, and the following day, as he passed
through his cabinet, he felt a desire to kiss La \'allicre's hand-
kerchief.
He summoned his valet.
" Bring me,"' said he, " the coat T wore yesterday, but be
careful to touch nothing m the pockets." The order was exe-
cuted, and the King searched through all the pockets.
He found oidy one handkerchief, his own; La Valliere's
had disappeared. While he was lost in conjectures and sus-
picions, a note from La Valliere w;us brought to him. It ran
as follows :
" Fff>ir knid
hen II t'l Jill 11 Ill's
ijnu rirr, mi/ drar loril, to harp. gnif. nw those
ffiiiv iiii/pnioiis (Did jifrsfucriiKi ijoiir lone
is ! Iloir c'nilil ijoit fail to be lored ? "
'' What does that mean ?" thought the King, " there is some-
thing wrong here."' Then to the valet. " Try to find a hand-
kerchief which must be in my pocket, and if you do not find
it, or if you have touched it — "
He suddenly betiiought himself. To make a state affair out
of tliis handkerchief was to begin a whole series of explana-
tions. He added :
J(-
77//; VKoMTE HE flli.\ '■ r f O.XXE.
"I had in tli it hiUHlkprcliit'f an in ..iiit note wliicii had
slipjied into thr folds."
" I'.ut, Siiv." saiil till' valpt, "your Majesty had only one
handkcrchier, am! here i'. is."'
'• That is trii(\" i(Mili('(l the Kin.i;. t^n-iirlinj:^ his toeth, <'that
is true. Oh I iiovcrty, how 1 envy you! Hapjiy he >\ h< acts
for himself and takes out of his pocket liandkendiiets and
notes."'
!!(> le-read La \'allicre"s note, wonderini; how the verses
could have reached their destination. The letter had the fol-
lowing poslscrii)t :
'• / sriii/ 1)1/ i/'iur 1)1 essen ;/<'!• fins !'fj)h/, no little wort /it/ of
bctii'j si lit.''
'•(ioodi I will ilispover something,','" said lie, with joy.
'< AVho is outside,"" sail he, "and who hrou^dit this note'.'"
'• M. Malicorne," replied tlie valet, tinudly.
" Let hiai enter."
Malicorne apjiearech
'• Do vou come from Mademoiselle de la Valliere ? "' said
the King, with a sigh.
" Yes, Sire."
" And did vou carry something from me to ^Lademoiselle de
la Valliere".^"
" I, Sire ? "
" Yes, you '
« No, Sire."'
" Mademoiselle de la Valliere says so."
" Oh. Sire, Mademoiselle de la Valliere is mistaken."
The King frowned.
"What is this little game? '"said he. <'Exi)lain yourself.
Why does Mailemoiselle de la Valliere call you my messenger?
What did you uike to the lady ? Speak, monsieur.""
" Sire. I took a handkeichief to ^lademoiselle de la Valliere.
That is all ••
" A handkerchief ? What handkercluef ? "
"Sire. I was unfortunate enough yesterday to run-aga;ni^t
your Majesty, a blunder 1 shall ilephu-e all my life, especially
after thedispleasure you showed mc on account of it; but just
as I stood motiuidess from endtarrassmeut, your Majesty being
too far away to hear my apologies, I saw something white on
the floor."'
GAnOIJNKRS, LADDERS, ASD MAIDS uF HUM Hi. 675
" Ah ! " said tlic Km;,'.
" T stoopod down and found it was a liandkorcliief. For a
moment I tliim,<,'ht that in running against your .Majesty I luul
caused the liandkerchiel' to droj) Iroui your ixjcivct, but on
looking closely. I saw a monogram. I examined more cIospIv
and found it was Mademdiselle do la Valliere's niduograni. I
supposed that on her way lliither tiiis young lady had dropped
her handkerchief and so 1 liastened to return it to her. That is
what 1 took to Mademoiselle de la Valliine, and 1 beg your
Majesty to believe me.''
Malicorne was so innocent, so ho|ieless, so humble, that the
King took great pleasure in listening U) him. ilo was as
grateful to hiiu for tiiis lucky stroke as he would have been for
the greatest service inniginal)ie.
"This is the second fortunate meeting 1 have had with
you, monsieur," said he ; '• vou may count on my friend-
ship."
The simple truth of the matter was that Malicorne had
removed tlic iiandkcrchief from the King's pocket as cleverly
as a pickpocket in the good city of I'aris would have done.
Madame wis ignorant of all this. 15ut .Montahiis hinted of
it to La Valliere, who later told it to the King. Louis laughed
heartily and proclainu'd ALilicorne a great politician. Louis
XIV. was right, and we know he understood men.
CHAPTER LXXVITI.
IN WHICH ARE DISCUSSED r,ARDEN"ER.«<, LADDERS, AND
MAIDS OF HONfiR.
Unfortunately, miracles could not always last, while
Madame's bad humor did. At the end of a week the King
could no longer look at La Valliere without a suspicious
glance crossing his. When a walk or a drive was suggested,
in Older to avoid a rejK'tition of the scene of the storm or
the royal oak >radame had some indisposition ready pre-
pared. And thanks to that, she did not go out and her
maids r)f honor also remained indoors.
There was not the slightest chance of a nocturnal visit, for
If
tt
576
Till-: VKoMi'i: hi: nnAcEUtssi:
ii.
CKUM
on the first occasioi. the Kiii^' liad oxpoiienced a severe check
in this resiiect. As at Fuulauiehlcaii he had taken Sainl-
Aignan with him and had set out to pay La Valliere a visit.
Bu't he had found no one hut Mademoiselle tie 'L'onnay-Chareute,
who l)et,'an to cry '• Fire ! Thieves 1 " in such a manner that a
perleet"legion of ehamber-mnids, attendants, and pa-es had
appeared, and Saiut-Aignan, who had remained beliind in
order to save the honor of his royal nuister who liatl Hed, had
i-eoeived a severe scohling from the ([ueeu mother and Ma-
dame.
Moreover, the following day he had received two chal'cnges
from the Montemart family and the King had been obliged to
interfere.
This mistake had arisen from the fact that >radame had sud-
denly ordered a change in the apartments of her nuiids of
honor, and directed La Valliere and Montalais to sleep in her
own cabinet. Nothing further, therefore, \vas possible, not
even letters. To write under the eyes of so ferocious an Argus,
whose disposition wa.^ as uncertain as Madame's, wa.s to exjiose
one's self to the greatest danger. It may be imagined in wliat
a constant state of irritation and increasing anger all these
annovances tlirew the young lion.
Tlie King racked his brain to discover some means of com-
munication, and since he confided neither in Malicorne nor
D'Artagnan the means were not forthcoming.
Malicorne occasionally had brilliant flashes of imagination,
and strove to inspire the King with confidence, but whether
from shan e or suspicion the King, who at first had begun to
nibble at the bait, soon left the hook.
For instance, one evening as Louis was crossing the garden,
gazing sadly at Ma<lame's windows. Malicorne stumbled ni>on
a ladder hidden behind a boxwood liedge, and said to M;tni-
camp, who was walking witli him behind the King, oblivious
as nsual of his surroundings :
" Did yon not notice that I just stumbled against a ladder,
and came verv near falling ? "'
« Xo." said Manicamp, still absent-minded ; " but apparently
you did not fall."'
" Never mind. It is none the less dangerous to leave ladders
lying about in that way."
" Ves. one might hurt one's self, especially if one were
absent-minded,"
aAni)i:.\i:iis, i.,\in>i:ns. a\i> .\t.iii)s or noxon. '>"(
^i I
" 'I'liat is iu)t thepiiint. 1 meiiii that it is dair^tM-dus ti> Icavo
ladders lyiiiR about lieiicatli the wiiidnws of maids (d ImiKir.''
liouis gave an almost imiit'i'cf'iitihlc start.
" What (h) you mean '.' " said Manicamp.
" Speak louder," whispered Malicorue, pulliu},' liis sleeve.
" What do you nieau ■."" said Manicamp. in a louder tone.
The Kinj,' bej,'an to listen.
'• We!!,"' said Malicoiiie, •• there, for in.slance. is a ladder
nineteen feel lon^', just the right length to reach the c(U'nice
.)f the w inilown — "
Instead of answering, Manicamp began to dream airain.
" Ask me wh.tt windows." whis)!ered Malicorue.
" Whal wind(jws do you mean /"' said Manicamp, in aloud
tone.
" Madan>e".s."
" Oh ! ■•
" I ilo not sav that any one would dare to climli to Mailame's
rooms, but in her cabinet, separated simply by a i)artition,
are Mesdemoiselles de la \'alliere and de Montalais, both of
whom are pretty."
<* Simply by a partition'."' asked Manicamj).
"Look, there "s a bright light in Madame's apartments. Do
you see those two windows? "
" Yes."'
" And the window next to those lighted less brightly, do
you see that ? "
'•Distinctly.''
"iliat belongs to the maids (jf lionor. It if: warm. Look,
there is Mademoiselle de la Valliere opening her window.
Ah, what things a bold lover could say to her if he suspecteil
that a ladder nineteen • 't long were there, long enough to
reach the window."
" Hut you said she was not alone, did you not '.' That she is
with Mademoiselle de Montalais \' ''
" Ma<lenioiselie de Montalais does not count. She ha.s been
a friend of La Valliere's from childhood, is perfectly devoted
to her, and is a veritable well into which any secret one wishes
to get rid of may be thrown."
The King had not lost a word of this conversation. Mali-
corue even noticed that his Majesty had begun to walk more
slowly in order to give him time to finish. So on reaching the
door Louis dismissed every one except Mali<'orne.
Vol. II. -37
578
Tin: VIcoMTE l)E liliAdllLOXSi:.
Ctt»i
m
i
'•■-
That was luit, surprisiiii,', for every one knew tliut tlu* Kiiij^
was ill l(ivi> and suii|h)s(>iI tliat he wauteil to (■(Huim/sc vorsi-s in
the niuonli^'ht. Althon^'h lh«'i-e was nu nnxm that nii,'lit,
uevertheh'ss the Kini,' miijlit wisii tn coiuimj^i' veist Every
one wiliiilfew.
'I'hereuiJiiii, turnini,' to Malieuine who was wailint,' respeet-
fully, tlie Kini,' said :
" What were yiiu sayini,' jnst now about a laddei', M. Mali-
corne '.' "
" Did I say anything' about a ia(hler, Sire 7 '
And .Malii'orne hxiked up to the sky as it to recall the words
whith ha,d escaped him.
" Ves, a lailder nineteen feet lon.i,'."
"Oh, yes, Sire, tiiat is true. l)ut I was spe, dun;.,' to M. de
Maniraiup, and I should not have said a wurd had I supposed
that your .Majesty ('(juld overhear us."
" Why not? ■■
•• Heciiuse 1 do not wish to brin;.,' a spolding upon the
gardener, who has i'or;,'otten it. pnor devil I"
■• Vdu need not Ije afraid of that. But couie, what sort of
ladder is it ? ''
•• Should vour Majestv like to see it '.' "
" Ves."
'• Nothin.i;- <'ould be easier, Sire; it is right iiere."'
'• 111 the liedj,'e '.' ''
'< Ves."
" Show it to me."
Malieoriie turned back and led tlie King to where the ladder
lay.
" Here it is, .Sire," said he.
" Draw it out a little."
^ralicorne jjlaeed the ladder in the path.
The King walked up and down beside it.
" Hum," said he, "you say that it is nineteen feet long? "
'• Ves, Sire."
" Nineteen feet is a good deal. I do not tliink it is so
long."
'• It is hard to tell from where it lies, Sire. If it were on
end against a tree or a wall, for instance, one could tell
bettP'-."
"Oh, never mind. M. Malicorne. I can scarcely believe that
the ladder is nineteen feet long."
<.M:i>i:\/:iis, i.Mn>i:its, ami ma/d.^ i>r j/d.mih. oTO
VMiii- .Majo>tv has, ami VRf. T
!\Iali(()riiP.
ot the luilaco is
" I know wliat an fxiict cv
would wai,M'i- en tins point.''
Tlio Kin,L,' shook hi.-, hi'ail.
" Tlu'ff is a sure wav of tinduij,' out," saiil
'•How'/'
'• Kvcrv 0IH3 knows, Siro. that the tirst Hooi
t'i;,'ht('i'n IVct tVoiti the ;,'ioun(l."
" Tliat is true."
'• Well, by Icaninj; the ladiler against the wall of the pahife
you eould judge."
'• Ves."
Malii'orne raised the ladder as if it were a feather, aiul placed
it against the wall. lie ehose, or lather chaiu'e chose for him
in order to help with his e.xperinient. the window of La Val-
liere's room.
'I'he ladder just readied the ledge so that a man of medium
lieigiit, like the King for e.xainiile. standing on the iiighest
round, could easily coinniunicate with the inmates of the room.
Scarcely had it been })lace(l in position when the King,
throwing aside all pretence, began to ascend the ladder, while
Maliconie lieid it for him. lUit scarcely had he accomplished
the naif of liis journey wlicn some of the Swiss guard ap-
peared in the garden and advanced directly towards him. Tlie
King hurriedly descended and hid himself in a clump of
bushes.
Malicorne realized that he must sacrifice himself. If he
were to hide they wotdd search until they found some one,
eitlier the King or himself, probably botli.'^ Better let them
find 'lim. Consequently he concealed himself so carelessly-
thai was at once arrested. He was led to the guard house.
There he gave liis name and was immeiliately identified.
Meantime, creeping from bush to bush, the King reached
the private door of his apartments, greatly humiliated and
greatly disajipointed, the more so since the noise of the arrest
had drawn Montalais and La Vallieie to their window, and
.Madame herself between two candles had appeared at hers
asking what had happened.
Malicorne asked for D'Artagnan, who at once responded to
the call.
In vain Malicorne strove to ex])lain the situation, in vain
D'Artagnan understood it, in vain these two clever and in-
ventive minds tried to account for the adventure. Nothing
580
I HE VICOMTI-: hi: iin.\i.i:i.n\si:.
1
^
^^
^tos
?
i
■S
• -
\
k
':
k^
rf iiKUiii'il foi- Miilicoiiit' liiit t<i lot it lit' tlii)iiL,'iit tli:it lie had
tiit'il to fiitiM- Miiileiiitiiscllc (Ic Mniitiilais' nioiii as .M. ilc Sa'iit-
Aif^uaii liail oml-o hocii siis])t'(tfil "t liaviiii,' liii'd to inKt*
Madt'iiinisclle dc Toiinay-* 'liar*'iilf\s door.
Madaiiit' was iiitii'xihlc ; in tlic iirst phuo. ln'iaii>" it . Mali-
come had in tact wished to cuter her ajiart incur at nij^'lit
through tlic wiiuhiw and l)y means ot the ladder in order to
see Montalais, it was a imuishable ol'Vurc on .Maluiuuc's jiait,
and lie inu.st sutler accordiu^dy. In the .second iria(e. it' .Mali-
corne, instead (d' acting in his own name had acted as an in-
termediary hetween La Valliere and one whom she need not
name, his ort'ence was still greater, since love, whii h is an ex-
cuse tor everything, was not an excuse in this case.
Madame, theretore. uuide a great outiry. and had Malicorne
dismissed t'rom Monsieur's ser\ ice. without rrtlectiug. jioo
blind creature, that Malicorne and Montalais held iier in their
(dutches hy her visit to M.de (iuitdie. and by many other ways
etjually delicate.
Montalais was furious and wished to avenge herself at
once, but Malicorne explained to her that the favor of the
King was worth all the disgrace in the worhl, and that it was
beautiful to sutfer for his Majesty's sake. Malicorne was
right, and so, although Montalais was e(iual to ten women in
one. he brought her over to his opinion.
Then let us liasten to a(bl that the King, on his side, helped
to console them. In the first place he gave Malicorne fifty
thousand francs as a compensation for his lost post. Then
he took him into his own liouse, delighted to avenge himself
thus on Madame for all she had made La Valliere and himself
suffer.
Hut no longer having >Lilicorne to steal hi-- handkerchief
and measure ladders for him, the poor lover was in despair.
There was no hope of his ever again getting near La Valliere
so long as she remained at the I'alais-Koyal. All the rank and
all the money in the world could not remedy that.
Fortunately, however, Malicorne was on the watch. He did
so well that he met Montalais. It is true that on her part
Montalais had done her best to meet Malicorne.
'• What do you do at Madame's at night'.'" he asked the
young girl.
" Wiiy, 1 sleep at night,"' she replied.
" Yoii sleep ? "
';.iiU)i:.\ /:/!>. i.M)i)i:iis, .wi, mmiis ur iiosoit. oHl
"CtM'taiiily."
" Hut ir IS vciv ImiI to sl..c|i : it i> nnt n^,'ht tliut wiili a .sor-
row like y.iiir.s :i j^irl slumld .^Icrii.''
" Wliiit soiTiiw liavc I '.' "
"Arevnii not in di-spair at my ali-.-iice ? ''
'• Wliy. no, siiict" yi.n Imvc Inul tMty tlioiisaiiil francs ^'ivoii
yiiii, ami a iiosition witli llic Kim,'."
'• Xi'vcr mind; you an- licfply f,'riovf(l at not sccim,' mo as
you iisj'd to: you am in d.'spair liwaiisi' 1 liavc lost Matlame's
conHdcnci' ; come, is it not true ? "
" Yes, very tiuf.'"
" Well, this ,L;ri(d' luev.Mits your slre|iin;,r at niirlit, and tlieii
you cry ami sob. and blow your nose ten times a minute, ami
make as mmdi noise as |>ossil)lt'."
" 1-iut, my dear Malieonie. .Madame eanmjt endure tire least
noise near her."
" 1 know perl.M-tly well that r I.,- eannot emiiire anv noise;
and so I tell you that when she hears such crying she will
make haste to turn you out of her room."'
'• I understand. "
'• That is fortunate."'
" Hut what will happen then '.' "
"The next thitii,' that will happen will be that La Valliere,
findinc,' herself separated from you, will rend tlie nij,'lit with
such ^'roansand lamentations that she will show despair eiiou-'h
for two." "
" Then she will be put into another room."
" Exactly."
" Hut into which room ? ''
" Which :' "
"Now you are puzzled, M. Inventor."
" N>.t at all. Whatever room it is, it will always be better
than Madame"s."'
'• That is true."
" Well, betjin your lamentations for nie to-night."
" I shall not tail to do so."'
" And give La Valliere a hint."
" Do not fear; she already cries enough to herself"
" Well, let her cry out loud."
And they separated.
i>H:
tut: vicoMii: iii: iin.{<.i:ij)ssi:.
CIIAl'IKlt LXXIX.
:BUK
WllliM TlirATS nl- i A 1: 1'l N II; V , WD Kt KM^IIKS IHTAILH
iiiis iiii \iirii(ii> 111- ( (is> I i;ri I i\i; > r \i i;i a^k>.
'I'm: ailvicr ;4ivcu tn M' !il;ilais was ciimiiiiiuirati'il to L:i
N'alli.M-t', wli" sa\ that itdnl ih.i lark wimIoim, ainl wiiu, at'ti-r
some M'si-taiirc whi'h i"-' railifi- tniiii tiiniility tliaii tidin
iiiilill'crriiri-. rcsdlvi'il tn carry it mit.
'I'liis stniv i)t' tlif twii WdiiiiMi wi'i'piii;,'. ami iil'iiii^' .Mailaiiic's
Ucdiooiu with souiiils (4 laiiiciitatinii, was Maliioinc's iiiaster-
Since iKitliiii'^' is so ]ir(iliah'i> as iuiprulialiility, so natural
as nnMancc. tliis kiml of " Tlif 'l'li'iti.«(ii'l mul Our ^u//ifs
siiccccdt'd pcrlcctly witli .Madanif. Tlic tirst tiling' she did
was to send avvay Moiitalais. Tlifii three days, or ratlier tlnee
iii^'lits, attei'wards slie senl away La Valliine. The latter was
;^'ivoii ...le ol tlie small rooms over the aiiarlments helon^iii-,' to
the Lceiitlemeii.
One story, that is, a mere floor, separated the maids of honor
from tlie ullii-ers and ^'entlemen. A private stairea.se, jilaeed
\iniler the surveillance id' Madame de Navailles, led to them.
For .1,'reater safety -Madame ile Navailles, who hail heard of
his Majesty's iirevimis attempts, had the windows of the rooms
and the oi)eiiiii^'s of tiie chimneys barred.
Thus every means of security had lieeii provided for Madem-
oiselle lie la Valliere, whose room looked more like a cage than
anything else.
When Mademoiselle de la Valliere was in her room — and she
was often there, for Madame had had scarcely any use for her
services since she knew she was under Madame de Navailles'
care ~ Mademoiselle de la Vallit're had nothing to do except to
look through the bars of her window.
One morning as slie was looking out as usual she saw Mal-
icorne at an opiiosite window, lie held in his hand a car-
penter's rule, was surveying the buildings and doing some
algebraic formula; on a i)iece of \yd\m: He was not unlike
those workmen who from an end of an excavation raise the
corners of a bastion or measure the height of the walls of a
fortress.
La Valliere recognized Malicorne and uodded to him.
Mi:iii()i> or cnss I i:r< • isa si.u/ic.\si:<. ,Vs;{
MalirDnic rcplicil by ;i \<>w limv, ;itiil WisapiuMrnl lioiii tlic
wiiiddW.
Slic \v;is siirin'isfd at tliis coldness, so forci'^n \" tin' usii:illv
t'Vcli ilis|i()sit,i(ill (if M:ilii'iii-Iii' ; l)ut slif ifinfinliciccl thai tin'
|i Mir t'p|li)\v hail hist his aiipi iiiit incut thrmi-h her, and ihat he
iMuld tint te(d very kindly tow aids her mucc m all jiidhahilit v
siie would never he in a [lo^ilioii to retiiin what he had lost.
She knew how to toiL;ivc .ifrnccs and coiiid ail ihr more
readily synijiatlii/e with ini-i| •rininv
La \allieie would have a.Aed .Monialais her o|iinion had
Montalais been there, but she was aii-^ent.
It was th(! hour she usually attended to In-r i oire-|i,,inlence.
Suddenly La \'al! ieic saw .-,oniet hiii;,' throun Irmn the window
where she liad seen ^Lllieo|■ln■, [las.^ acii s the o|ien >|iaee, be-
tween the bais of her wiiiilow, and roll u|.on the tloor. She
advaneed with enriosity towards this olijert and picked it up.
It was a reel used for windiin.,' ,silk. Only in-tea<l (d .silk a
piece of paper was wrapped aionnd it.
La \'alliere unrolled it and read :
'• M .{DEMOISELLE : I (I ill a ii.ri'iii.t fn hiiuic firo f/iiin/s: /irsf,
it' till- jliinr iif iiDiir rnmii is nf iraml nr lir'nk : sicmi)/, Iniir fur
i/oiir hill is f'ri/iii fitr iriiiilmr. Fiiri/i rr in i/ i in juiii ii iiiti/, iiiiil
III' kiiiil fiiiiiiijh to iiiisirrr nir In/ tlir sniiir irn if in 1/ iioti Ims
rriirlii-il i/nh ; flint Is. Iiij iiiiniis of' tlir liuliliiii. I'liit histrnil
III' til rmri III/ it into nil) rnniii iis 1 liiiri' tlirmrn it Intn i/mirs,
icliii'li irmilil III- too liitril fitr i/mijir ijuml riiomjli inrrrlii to Irt
it full. /iriirrr nil', niiiilfiiioini lit', i/uitr most linnihle (Did
most nsjirftj'ul srrriint,
" Mai/corxe.
'■ W'rlti' thr ri'jili/, jili'iisr, on this ii'>tr.''
" .Ml I jioor fellow," crifd La Valliere, " lip must be mad."
Anil .she directed towards her correspomlent. whom she only
half saw in the darkness of the room, a look full of affectionate
coin]iassi()ii.
>Ldicorne iimhM'stood and shook liis head as much as to
.say :
" No, no, I am not mad ; be easy."
She smiled doubtfully.
"No, no," he gesticulated, "my head is all right!'' and he
pointed to it.
;1
^m
684
THE VICUMII-: 1)1-: iiR.\<;i:L()NNE.
Then inovin<^ his hand like a man wlio writes riii)i(Ily .
" Come, write," lie j,'esti<'ulate(l a,i,'ain, in a beseechimx sort
of way. Even were he mail, La \'alliere saw no inijiroiiriety
in (loinji what Malieurne reiiuested oi her, so taking a i)encil
she wrote :
Then she counted ten feet from the window to her bed and
wrote :
" Ten fi'cfy
Havinj^ done this, she looked at ^falicorne, who bowed and
signified that he was going t(» descend. La X'uUiere understood
that it was in oriler to pick up tl. reel. She approached the
window, and, acc(jrding to ^Lllicorne's instructions, dropped
the bobbin.
It was still running along the ]>avement when J[alicorne
started after it, reached it and pit'ked it up, and, beginning to
examine it as a monkey does a nut, ran straight to M. de Saint-
Aignan's apartments.
Saint- Aignan had chosen, or rather solicited, that his rooms
should be as near as possible to the King's, as some plants
seek the rays of the sun in order to develop more luxuriantly.
His apartments consisted of two rooms in that part of the
])alaee occupied by Louis XIV. M. de Saint-Aignan was jiroud
of this proximity which atfmded easy access to his Majesty,
and furthermore the favor of some unexpected meetings.
At the moment with which we are now dealing he was en-
gaged in having both his rooms magnificently cari)eted, count-
ing on the honor of irecjuent visits from tiie King; for since
his passion for La Valliere his Majesty had chosen Saint-
Aignan as his confidant, and could be without him neither day
nor night.
Malicorne was admitted to the count's and met with no
difficulties, because he had been favorably noticed by the
King, and because tlie credit of one man is always a bait
for others. Saint-Aignan asked his visitor if he had any
news.
"(ireat news."' replied the latter.
"Ah I ah I " said Saint-.\ig;:an, curious like all favorites.
" What it it ? "
" Madenu)iselle de la N'alliere has moved."
" Are your sure '.' ' said Saint-Aignan, opening wide his
eyes.
METHOD OF CONSTRUrriSa STAIFJWSES. 5«5
" Ves."
" She was witli Madame.''
" Kxactly ; but Madame Vjocame tired of her neirjhbor, and
2 lias installed her in a room directly over your future aiiartmeiit."'
"What! up there'/" exclaimed Saiut-Aignaii iu surjirise,
lioiutiii;,' to the upiier floor.
" No," said Malicorae, "over there ;" and he indicated the
biiildiuLC opposite.
■' Why d(» you say, then, that her room is above mine '.' "'
'• Hecause 1 am sure that yours ought naturally to be under
La Valli.'-re's.-'
At these words Saint-Aignan gave Malicorne such a look as
La Valliere hail already given him a quarter of an hour oefore.
That is, he thought him nuid.
" Monsieur," said Malicorne, " I wish to reply to vour
thought ! "
'• To my thought ? "
" Yes ; you did not clearly understand, apparently, what I
meant."
" I admit that."
" Weil, you know that below Madame's maids of honor are
the rooms of the King's and Monsieur's gentlemen.''
'• Ves; since ]\ranicamj), I)e Wardes, and others lodge there."
" Exactly. Well, monsieur, admire the strangeness of the
coincidence. The two rooms intended for i\L de Guiche are
the very two rooms below those occupied by Mademoiselle de
-Montalais and Mademoi.sello de la V;<lliere.''
" Well ; what then '."'
" Well, then, these two rooms are empty, since M. de Guiche
is wounded and ill at F(mtainebleau."
" I assure you, my dear monsieur, that I cannot grasp your
meaning."
" Well, if I had the good fortune to call myself Saint-Aignan
I should guess at once."
" And what wo \n\ you do ? "
" I shduld at once exchange the rooms I am now occupying
for those M. de Guiche is not using yonder.''
" (.'ould ycm think of siudi a thing '.' " said Saint-Aignan, dis-
dainfully. " .\l)aiulon the chief post of honor, being near the
King, — a j)rivilege acccu'ded only to princes of the blood, to
ilukes and jieers ! ^Vhy, mj dear M. de Malicorne, alLw me
to say that you are crazy ! "'
m
i
a
•*
i
1
1
)>^t>
TlfE ViroMTE /,,/, III; A<, Kl.oy SE.
'• MoiiMtMir,"" ri"|,li..,l til.' yoiiii.L,' man, ■ ('i'i,,u.slv, •• vnii make
two uii.st;ikcs._ I an. called simply Mali.orm.. an,l I am
not crazy. ' 'I'lii'ii ilrawiii^' a paper from liis po( ' 't : " Listen
'o nie, said he. "and afterwards I will show yon this."'
" I am listeniiiL,'." said Saint-Aignan.
•• Vnu ku,,u .Madame watches over La Vallii-re as .\r.rns did
over tiie nviuph lo."
" Ves.""
*' Vou know that the Kin.i,' has tried, bnt in vain, to speak to
the prisoner, and that neither yon m.r I have succeeded m i)ro-
cunii^- lor him this good turtune."
••Von certainly should know something of all this, mv poor
Malicorne."' ' ^
•• W ell, what do you sujjpose would hapjien to the one whose
iniagmat'on brought the lovers together'.' ''
•■nh. the Kii:n's gratitude woulil he bonn<iless.""
'• .^L dc Saiiit-.\ignan '. "
'• Well ■.' ••
'• Would you not be curious to taste a little of this roval
gratitude '.' "
•• ("ertajidy," replied Saint-Aignan, '• a favor from my master
alter I had done my duty would be most precious to me."
" In that case, look at this paper, .M. le Comte ''
" What is it '.' A plan ? "
"Of the two rooms of ^[. de Guiche, which in all probability
will be yf)ur rooms."
" Under no circumstances."
'•' Why not ? "
'• Hecanse my own rooms are envie<l bv too many ticiitlemen to
whom I shall certainly not give thenrup : M. d'e'lionuelaure,
tor instance. M. dc la F,.,ic. and M. Dangeau."
'• In that case 1 shall leave you, >L le Tonite. and shall offer
to one (,f these gentlemen the plan I have just shown you
with Its accompanying advantages."
"But why not keep them for yourself?" asked Saint-Ai-
gnan, suspiciously.
"because the Kin- will never honor me by iiaviiig me a
visit openly, while he certainly would go to one of tliese"<rentle-
inen. ' ' ^
'•\\hat: the King would go to the rooms of one of these
gentlemen '.' "
"•'ertainly he would; ten tiine.s instead of one. What!
I
MI:tiIOI> nr rON.STRrrn.X,; STA/ncASf-S. 587
^^"'iM Inm- mu nearer to Ma.lemciseile de la Valli.'-re " -
"Well, ,tjet a w-.,rknian, l.u-k l,i,u i„to vour ronn, without his
l^'ulll^e-s :;;!,.; •''"''''•'''^'^' '" "'^ "-"• •^^ ^^-le.o.elle de
" ^h'll ^'""'"'^'.^ '•'■i'^'l >^^u"t.Ai^nau, as if da.zled.
\}hatdoyouth.nkol ,f.'" said .Malirurue
' Uiat IS a very bold plan, niousipi;r "
'• t will seem very triHin,.; t.. the Kin.i^, I assure you "
" Lovers never think of dan-er " ^
'^ What danger do yon fear,M. le Conite " "'
'• U ly. .such an openin- will necessitate a terrible noisP »
ll'e whole palace will resnu„d with if" '
sef.f ;i^::t'':;;£ ihfsi^^^^^^^^
.'"..not even those in the next room, will know he is work-
^__J-.Ah, n.y dear M. Malieorne, you astound, you bewilder
.•nlini^n'lii ir" i'' ^r''li->nHs.p.iet!y,>.in the room, the
' < ilinsjj.t uhich Non have cut open, you understand - V "
'•Von will put up ,, staircase, which will permit either
" But the staiicas(> will be seen."'
"No, for in your room it will be hid-hm bv a mrtiti.m
-srietnr ''^'"^^^-'^-—'-tothSw ;
u 1 l , , *'"' =^l''^'"'i''"t- I" mademoiselle-s room it
vdl be liKlden by a trap-door which will be nut , •■ fl H
.tself, and whi.-h will open under the bed ' ' '"'
^^^^•Of^ourse,-' said Sa.ut-Aignan, whose' eyes were beginning
"Now M le Cnmte. I need not „uike vou admit that the
Ktn, will often cine into the rn.m m which th^^i'is Iha
■
I
^^-I
mm
r)88
77//-; vKoMTi-: hi: i'.i;.\(;i:LnsM:.
staiirasp. I think tliiit M. Dun^'can. es|u>ciallv. will l.e struck
with my idea, and 1 shall now ,^'0 ai'd t'\[.lai!i it to liini." "
•• Hilt, my <lfar M. Malicorne ! " ciifd Saiut-AiLrnau, -^.11
for^.-I that you spoke to me about it tirst. and "that coiise-
qiiently I have the right of priority. "
" Do you wish tor the preference ?"
" Of coiuse I do."
''The fact is, M. de Saint-.\ignan, that it is a ladder I am
giving you for your first promotion and perhaps for even some
good duchy."
•• At least," said Saint- .\ignan, rc(l with pleasure, "it is a
cliance to show the King that he is not wrong iu occasionallv
calling me ins friend — a cliance, my dear AI. .Malicorne, whicli
1 owe to you."
"And which you will not fcu'get to reinembcr '.'" asked
Malicorne, smiling.
" I shall be delighted to remember it, monsieur."
" I, monsieur, am not the friend of the Kiic. but his .ser-
vant."
"Yes, and if you think that there is a blue riiibon for me
111 tliat staircase, I think their will be letters of nobilitv for
you.''
Malicorne bowed.
" Now it is only a riuestii;u of mv moving," said Saint-
Aignan.
" I do not see tliat the King will object to it. Ask his pcr-
niission." ^
" I shall go to liini at once."
" And I shall go and get the carpenter."'
<' When shall I have him '.' "
" Tliis evening."
" Do not forget your precautions."'
"I shall bring him to you with his eyes bandaged."
" And I shall .send you one of my carriages.'"
" Without coat-of-arms."
•'With one of my hukevs without liverv. That is under-
stood."
" Very good. ,M. Ic (jonite."'
" Hut La Valliere '.' "'
" Well?"
" What will she say to the work '.' '"
" I assure you, she will be greatly interested in it."
lick
use-
am
)ine
is a
illy
licli
ked
■iei-
nit'
fur
nt-
)cr-
er-
77//; TOliri{Li,;HT PROMENADE.
589
" r believe so.''
" I am even sure that if the Kin- has not the audacitv to
aseen.i to her roon>. she will have the eurio.,ty to deseend to
" Let us hope so/' said Saiiit-Aiqnan.
*' Yes, let us hope so," e-hoed Malicorne
" I shall go to tiie King, then."
" And you do well."
" At what time will luy carpenter be here '"'
" At eight o'clock."
" And how long do you tliiuk he will need to cut the hole " "
'About two hours; only afterwards he will need time 'to
fini.sh vvhat may be called the hyphen. One naght and part
of the tollowuig day ; two days with the staircase "
" iwo days is a long time."
"The deuce: when' it means opening a door into j.aradise,
the door must at least be decent."
"You are right. Good-bye for a time, y{. Malicorne I
shall begin to move the day after to-morrow, in the evening "
CHAPTER LXXX.
THE TOKCHLICHT PUOMEXADE.
ww'hJf"^'"''''''' '^^'"^'^«^ ^^ ^^I'^^t he had just heard and at
what he foresaw, set out towards the apartments of De Guiche
He who a quarter of an hour j.revions would not have given
away his two rooms or a nulHon francs, was ready to bny for
that sum If any one had asked him to do so, the tio fortunate
rooins he now coveted. I^ut he did not meet with any gieat
difficulty M. de Guiche did not yet know where he^v^ould
sucfthi'iigs '" ' ""^ '''' •" '"'^ ^''^' P^'" ''' '^^'^ '-^bout
Saint-Aignan, therefore, had De Guiche's two rooms On
his part .M. Dangeau had Saint-Aig„a„'s two roorT^a pre-
mium of si.x thousand livres,and thought he had done well
Dangeau s rooms became the future lodging ,.f De Guiche'
All we can positively assert is that in this general moving
these were to be De (Quiche's room.s. ^
As for M. Dangeau he was so transported with joy that lie
590
Till-: vicoMTi-: i)E iiii.\(ii:L(/.\.\i:.
dill not fvpti l;ik(> tlic tronlile to tliiiik whether or not Saiiit-
Ai,u;nan hai! any jiarticnlar reason tor rfiiioviiii,'.
One liour altrr lie liad made up liis mind, Saint,-Ai,^Miaii was
in possession ot ihc two rooms. Ten minutes after tiiat .Mali-
corne entered Saint-Aiijnan's apartments escorted by tho uphol-
sterers.
.Meantime tl;i' Kiie.,' was askin.u' for Saint-.Vinnan. The valet,
ran to tlie hitter's rooms and found ])an;.,'eau, who sent him
to De (iuiclie's, where Sainl-Ai.^Mian was found. I'.iit tliere had
l)fen some diday, so that tiie Kinu,' liad alri-ady udven some
si,L,Mis of impatience wlien Saint-.\i;.,'nan entered out of breath.
'• S(j you too al)audon nie, (hi you '.' " said Louis Xl\'. to him
in a tone of lamentation in whi(di Ca'sar might have .said "/«
qHiii/iir ■' eighteen hundred years iiefore.
••Sire," said Saint. \ignan, •• I am not abandoning t!ie King ;
on the contrary, I a,m l)usy moving.''
•• .Moving'.' 1 thought you ha<l finished tliat three days ago."
•• \ es. Sire. l>ut 1 am uncomfortable in my ]iresent lodgings,
and so I am moving into the rooms opposite."
'• I said you were abatidoning me !" cried tlie King. '• Oli 1
this is too nni(di. 'riiere was only one woman for whom my
heart longed, and my wliole fanuly lias leagued togetiicr to
snatch her from me. I had a friend to whom 1 contided my
troubles and ".vho lie]].ed me to l)ear them. Now this friend
has grown weary of my complaints and leaves me without even
asking my permis>ion."
Saint-.\ignan began to laugh. The King divined that there
was some niysterv in this want of respect.
" What is it?" said he. full of hope.
"This, Sire, that this friend whom the King calumniates
is going to try to restore to the King the hapidness he has
lost : "
"Are you going to help me to see La Valliere '.' " asWl
Louis XIV.
" Sire, I cannot promise vet, but — "
" Hut ? "
" I hojip so."'
-Oh, how? how? Tell me, Saint-Aignan. T must know
your plan ; T will do all I can to help you."
•• Sire," replied Saint-Aignan. '• 1 am not sure mys(df as yet
how I am going to act in order to reach my object;" but I have
e\ery reason to believe that from to-morrow — ''
fr ,
'rM.
I
THE r,,Rrin.n;iir i>i:,,mexaok, ^^j
" To-iiiDiTdU", vnii sav ""
'• V..S. Siiv.- '
ilu! I).'!tf[- to serve vmw ALije.stv '
II And h„u- ,,in vuu MTve ,„e hv doin^- that' ' -
the /■:;r;.^;:;;;:.!^•;'''■'•■''''''^■ •■'--•-'--
" Yes."
;; Then ynu,. M;, j..,t, k,„„,, ,,,.,,3 J ^,^^
J^;M^mht. but that dues „„t help me/ '^
roo„. a;e-t.':';,Cs;'-' "'"""^"'"' '''••^' ^^-^ -•-■" these
oti;;.?":!'/"'"''^^ ^^ Made„K.iselIe de Montalais, and the
;;Theotheri.TaValIi;M.eV,Sai„t-Ai^nan.-'
" ( onie, now, Sue .' "'
'■Oh, Saint-AignaM, it is true ! it is it is tn,p t « ■ .
fever -T^h:!;";;-';!:: ai;;:^:' i-I-tioneo: I an. in a perfect
^^|;.)\ ith yon, yes ; we will discuss yonr plans, we will talk of
" ^'". Sire. I shall remain here "
" Then with whom shall I <ro ont '>"
"With the ladies." "
"No, indeed, Saint-Ai-nan."'
"Sire, you nuist."'
self^'oNr' 1 '^ ^h'"^'""^ times no! T will not .snhiect nv-
selt tu the hurnblc torture of bcu., two feet from' her, of
i\ t-
592
THE McoMTE hi-: n/iA(;i:Lo.\.\K
seoint; hor, of toiicliini: lier dross as I ji.iss, and yot not be
aliltMi) s;i\ an\ tliih'^' to hiT. N". I icnuimcc tliis toituro wliicli
you (•on.si(i('r a pleasure, ami whicli is a I'orm of af^miv tliat
burns away my eyes, devours my Imiuls, and eats away niv
hcait. To see Iier in the ju-esenee of all tlmso st ranu'crs, ami
not tell licr tliat I love her, when uiy w hole heiiiL,' reveals luv
love and betrays me to every one ! No, 1 have sworn never to
do it aj^ain and I will kei'ii my oath."
" Yet. Sire, listen to me."'
"I will listen to nothimj, Saint-.\iu;nan.''
"In that case I shall continue, it is mo-t nr'^ent. Sire, vou
understand, most iU!,'ent that .Mailame and her maids of honor
be alisent from the ]»alace for two hours."
" Vuu perplex me, Saint. \i,i,Mian.''
" It is hard for me to i,Mve directions to a KiuLj ; but under
these circumstauees I must do so. Sire. i must have either a
hunt or a promenade."'
" I?ut this is a mere caprice, a whim I In .-,howin,Lr such im-
patience I show my whoh> court that I have n(j couti'ol over
my feeliu,u;s. Is it not alreaiiy said that I am dreaming of the
conquest of the world, but thai first I must bej,'in by achiev-
ing a conquest over myself ".' ""
"Those who say tliat, Sire, are impertinent and facetious.
But whoever they may be, if your Majesty prefer to listen to
them, I have nothin<; further to say. In that case that wliich
we have arranged for to-morrow must be postponed indefi-
nitely."
" Saiut-.Vignan, I will go out this evening. I will go by
torch-light to Saint-Gernudn. I will breakfast there, and will
return to Paris about three o'clock. Will that do '.' "'
" I'erfectly.""
"Then I will leave this evening at eight o'clock."
** Yonr Majesty has divined the very minute."'
"And you will tell me nothing '.'.'"
" That is, I can toll you nothing. Industry is something in
this world. Sire; yet chance plays so important a part that I
usually leave her the straiter path, stire that she will nuinage
in such a way as always to take the wider."'
" Well, I leave niy.self in your hands."
" And you do well."'
Comforted in this way, the King went directly to
to whom he anuouuced the intended promenade.
Ma.h
THE TOHCHLiailT I'llOMl-XAhE. 598
F„r a .nuHHM.t Ma.iiiM.o tl.„u-'l,t slie .suv in this unoxneoted
eu HM- .... tl.e n.a.l u.uler ever of the ,h.rknoss, n^ ^^
oth;>- v.ay; but she was very caren.l to show none ,.f or
!^fe,;;;„!';;;, lri;;r""'- ■'«'■=—■ -Js-^ui.!^
SI.e save ,l,iwtio„» »I,„„I f.,,. l„.r n.ai.ls „t l„„„„ f. follow
' rwo h.dies u',11 sutfi... for me tins evenin,^ : .Ma-lemui^elle
de Jom,ay-( harente an.l Ma.hMaoiselle ,le Montahus/'
La VaU.ere had foreseen the blow and consequently was ready
.. the s... her liart had rL^Slh '^''<^^':^;!:::^
" Then, Madame I shall be at liberty this evening " »
res, certainly." °
'•1 shall take advanta-e of it to work at the tapestry your
H.^'hness has been good enough to notice, and whkdi I hZ
already had the honor of otferin-^ to y,,,, " "^
oi':pa;;;2t""'*^ ' ''^'"''''^ ^"^^^^^^•' ^^- -^'-^^ to her
^,^Mesden.oiselles de Montalais and de Tonnay-fharente did
The news .,f the intcnde.l promena.le went with them from
-Madame s rooms an.l soon spread over the whole palace Te"
.nun.tes later Mahcorne knew Madame's resolution and sliDuel
under Montalais' door the following note • ^^
« L. V must sp,-nd the. vhjht irlth Madam, "
Jn order to carry out the co.npact agreed on, Montakiq
l.San by burning the letter, and then s^t down t^. X
.Montalais w.'m .■! (ru- ,>f ,.„_,.-.,, i , , . n utcc.
M . , : '1 : ---V.,, ,i,iu ijifu sai down
> ontaiais was a girl of resouire, and she had soon (
plan.
"lined her
^^ ^Klru.-l'' ''''' ^" '""'""^ ^""''''^ '""^ Madame's, that
594
THE vicoMiE i,i: III: {<:i:ij).\.\E.
is, iihoiit, five o'clock, slic ran acniss tlie coiirt-vanl ;m<\, on
coiiiiiit,' to within ten feet of a ^'roiip of ofHccrs, sin- uttcri-d a
cry, fell j,'iacffuliy on oni' knee, rose, and liii]|icil on. Tlic
gcntlcnicM ran iorwMiil to Inn- assistance Siic li.uj cvidcntlv
.siiraint'il Iicr ankle. l''aithful, houcvci-, to her dntv, she
insisted on j^'oini; to .Mailaiiic's.
'•What is the matter and why do you linii) so'.'" asked
the Ittler. " I niislook you for La N'aliiiTc."
.Montalais relatcil how in huiTying out she had met with
the acciilent.
Madame seemed to he sorry for her and wished to have a
surj,'t'on sent for at once. Hut Montalais assured her that
tlie accident was not at all serious, and said :
".Madame, I only re,i,'ret havini,' to fail in my duly to vou,
and I should have Ijcgged Mademoiselle de la Valliere to lake
my place — '"
Madame frowned.
" r>ut I did not do so."
" Why not?'' asked Madame.
" Because poor La Valliere seemed so happy at the prospeot
of being free fortme evening that I did not have the courage
to ask the favor of her."
'• Is^ she so happy'.'" aski>d .Ahulame, struck by the words.
'■ Wildly .so; she was singing, siie v,ho is always so sa<l. For
that matter, your Highness knows that she detests the world,
that she has in lier an element of the savage."
" Oh : " thought .\Lulame, '• this great gayety does not seem to
ine to be natural."
" She has already made pre|)arations," continued Montalais,
" to dine in her own rooms alone with one <if her favorite books.
Besides, your Highness h.is six other yoinig hclies who would
be delighted to .accouiiiany you. so 1 did not nuike my pro-
posal to .\L)demoiselle de la Valliere.''
Madame was silent.
" Have I acted proi)erly '." "ccmtinued Montalais, with a slight
tightening of the heart, seeing the small su^ .ess of the ruse
on which she had relied so coididently that she had not thought,
it necessary to invent any other. '• Does Madame ap[)rove of
me '.' '' she continued.
-Madame was reflecting that during the niglit the King could
easily leave Saint-CTermain, and since it was only four leagues
and a half from there to I'aris, he could be back in one Inmr.
'
Tin: r,,i,rj„.„,„i ri!u,ii:s.,i,i;. ,,,,,,
■"•i '™";'i.m;r ;;r i,:;:;|,:';i;i.?™'j "'^-■™r i-- afraid .„»
"I will nut 1).. tlicir (111,,,." s-.i'i A[,. I
\„,1 1,,,,. , • , ""!"> S'liil .Madame.
AnllHM '.,„., was atom.,, .nadenp.
-n>M...i .nth „s at sa,,.;;;.;!:;;'::''' ^'" " '^ ^"^'"^ --^^ ^e
in i.;,- hS: '"<;;;" M::i;;.,r';^ ^j-"^^'-^' -m-, but with j^v
noss _ •' ' •^''^''•^""'. '-^ tliero no way tluit your Ifiih.
. " Kiim.^^h,-' sai.l Madame. « I wis}, it t T r. f ., "
cietyof Mademoi.sPlIe la I'.aume le " , I J Prefer the so-
else. Go now, send hei to m I i .*'? *^^^ °^ ''^">' «««
ankle." ' ' ^'^ ""^' '^"^1 take care of your
Mnntalais ,li,l „ot wait fnr a repetition nf fi
.^Iie returm.,l to lier room wmf, ..r^ ^ ^''*' command,
■slipi-d it under the <.i V The n^fT'' ^ ''^;^'^^"^»«' and
word.s: ^ ■^"*' 'lote contained merely the
" -We will ,jn."
"•;''''sw :i:;;i;tfe.p*r;,,: Vt"" ''r'' "?'■■■ -f '-■ - '^^
F>9i\
TifE vrcoMri-: nr: r.n \';i:i.(i\\i:.
Cm
vm
Hut, inw.inlly \\i-v joy w;is j,Mo;it, Slio luokt'il upon fins
fliaiiLCf in ;li.' princess's rcsolntioii as ii consolation voiiflisafcil
her In- I'l'oviilcnci'. I.css penff ratiiif,' tliaii Madam. ■, she attrih-
uteil cvcrytliiii^' to cliancc
W'liilf ovt'i'y one, with tlic exception of those in di.sijiace,
tliose wiio were ill, and riiose wlio were snfferint,' t'idni s|iiaiiiH,
was Ijeini,' ilriveu towaids Saint-( iei niaiii. .Maiicornc snin'^",ded
his work:ii,in into one of M. de Saint-Ai^'iian's eo:iciies and led
\\\,\\ into the I'ooni co!res|iondiii',,' to La N'alliere's,
The man, tempted liy tiie s[deiidid rouanl inouiised liim.set
to work with a will.
As the very best tools and implements had lieeii taken from
the woikiiien attached to the Kind's hoiiMdioid. anions,' them
a saw with teetji so sharp that it was ahlt- even under water to
cut thr()iiL,'li oak as hard as iron, —the work advanced laiiidiy.
A S(iuaie piece of the ceiling', cut out hetween two beams, fell
into the arms (.f Saiiit-Ai^'iiaii, .Nfalicornc, the workman, and a
contidentiiil valet, —the last named hi^iiii,' one of those l'rou.,rht
into the world ttj see and liear everything', hut to repeat
nothiii;,'.
In aceordanco with the new plan indicated by Mali.orne,
the openiii'^' had licen made in a corner of the room. Fortius
reason, since there was no dressiiii,'-ro()iP in La Valiiere's
apartment, Li Valliere had that very iiiornini,' asked for and
obtained a lar.,'e screen to serve a< a partition. The screen
would conceal the oi)enin'.,', uhich for that matter could be
hidden by some artifice of the cabinet niakei.
Tlie liole liaviuLj been made, the workman sipiczed between
the joists and found himself in La Valiiere's room. Once
there he cut a square openii ■.; in the floor, and with t!ie
boards male a trap which ii ■! so exai'tly tuit the most
practised eyi> could sc.ireely detect it. .^[a'licorne hail pro-
vided for everything,'. A rin;^' and two hin-,'es boa,L,'ht in
advance were affixed to the trap-ihior.
A smill circular staircase of the kind in u.se at that
time had also been purchased by the indefati<,'able .\Lili-
oorne, who had paid two thousand livres for it. It was
liii,'her than necessary, but the carpenter cut awav some of
the steps until it was exactly the ri|,'ht lenu'th. This .stair-
way, destine.l to support so illiistrinns a wei','ht. was fastened
to the wall jiy a couple of iron clamps. Its ba.se was fixed
into the Hoor of the couut's room by two iron pegs securely
■rill-: iunr„u,;,iT l',:n^n:^^,„,
697
'••v.-ry blow nf ,1... ),um r f ''''•' '""'""t f'"ir-
-■;-'■- the .uv ..s '^ ;',;'<''''- - tlu.k n.shi..,,,
'•^"I^l^tl.e l.la.!o .st,v,,..,l „, oil ''''' "'''I'l'"'' '" wo„I
••'•;'ff^.;ihtr;^:iL^.,:L;l;;7'■^V''• «
:i-"l . I.idanie vvvre .l.sent "' "'''^ '^' "'"'" '-'^ \-uliiere
was ,n onl.r; ,.„t tlu- sli.!l. -s 1, I ''7 ;"^""' <'vc.rytl,i„g
'•'-:!■• --'-.I l-ar witness u;!; ^f, ;;.''' ^^ ""^ tlH. lea.^
, •^•""f■Al,^^nil„. 1,,,,,,.,.,.,. , ' '7'""' '•»'.• iiiartmoiit.
^^l-"''-l any an.onnlTj n ^ s, !. • ?"" ^l"' ''^ "'"'h.'s and
t^-t-'s. .-.MS..,! In- ,J .,;',, ^ >;;;"' s w.,.e ,.,,,...,.,1 with
He had, 1,,,,,,, ^,., , ';'»''' h^' a-ld.;r for MalH.on.e.
•■^•"' ;;-""t away fi]Ie,i witl d ■] ITt V;'""^'"'"'"" ^""^ f'"" it
us.ully „,ade in .six n.unths '"' ' ^' ''''' ''' '""^'h as he
oreak.ng in the ..orne,- of he a nrSr «' ''" '"''^'■'' '^ '^''^'ht
abou to find out wheneP t oamo T "'V'''^''''' '^''^ '"«k«d
" ^V ho is there '> '• she -i.keT ; ^,'"' f"""*' ^''^'^ repeated.
" r-" '-^-plied the well known ' '' ^'^'^'^'^''^d tone.
'• Von ! you ' '• or er fl '"^ ""^ *^^ King.
f-'a \ alii ere "ave • <.,.,, i .
Bank into an ar^.^Ltr '' '"^' '"'"^''"^ f-"' head to foot
The K.ng advanced deferentially towards her.
r-
("t^
698 THE VICOMTK 1)E lili.l './Jl.D.WE.
chaptp:r lxxxi.
THE (iHOST.
La VALLifeinc promfjtly lecoveipil from lier surprise. By
his deferential attitude, tlu' Kiii<f insjiireil litr witli the con ii-
deuce of '.vliicli liis ajipeaiauce liad dcjirivcd her.
F.ut wlieu lie suw that that which made La VallitMe nueasv
was the means by whudi he had euteriMl her i- ii. he explained
the .system oi the staircase hidden hy the screen, disclaiming
the fact that he was a -fhost. "^
"Nm, .Sire," said La Valli^re, shaking; her head with a
charminj.'- smile, " present or absent you are in i.iy thou^dlts
just as mucn a. one time as another.'' "
" Which means, Louise — '"
" Oh, what you well know, Sire, that there is not one in-
stant when the poor girl, whose secret you surprised at Fou-
tainebleau, and whom you came t(j take" from the foot of the
crosb, does not think of you."
" Louise, you overwhelm me with joy and hapi.iness."
La Valliere smiled sadly and continued :
" But, Sire, have you reflected that your ingenious invention
cannot be of the sliL,'htest use to us ? ''
" Why not '.' Tell me."'
" Because this room, Sire, may be searched at any time.
Madame may chance to come in' In the (U,.ytime my c(un-
panions come in frequently. To lock the doo'r on tluMnside
is to denounce myself as jilainly as if [ ha written above:
' Xo admittance ; the King is within ! " Even now. Sire, there
is nothing to prevent the doors being opeu"d, and your Majesty
discovered with me."
'• In that case,'' said the King, laughing. " I shonl.l certaiidy
be taken for a ghost, since no one can tell how I came here.
Besides, only ghosts enter through walls or ceilings.''
" Oh, Sire, what an adventure .' Think of wha7 a scandal it
will be ! Never has anything been said like it about the maids
of onor, poor things, whom evil tongues never spare '. "
'•And y- 1 conclude from all this, my dear Louise ?
Coaie, explain yourself ! "
" You must forgive me, Sire, it is a hard thing to say "
Louis smiled.
THE GHOST.
'• Come," said he.
599
ur Majesty muse suppress staircase t)1
for the trouble of be
>luiu the pleasure of si
'• 'Well, mv de
stead of
UlL'
plots and surprises,
cau-ht here, Sire, would li
;ir L
eing each otl
:)e greater
louise.
the
leplied the Ki„g, teu,h-rh
lU-
• lueaus of
, pressing me staircase,
wJucii you Jiave not thought."'
'■ Allot iier means ^"
" Vou say,-' continued the Kin.'. " thit T «I,.,ii i i .
tremble.-''' "' """ ^^""' "'^^'« >-" -^ -^l-akiiig about it, I
"Possibly; but you would not be found r-,f if ,.
'le.s-nd the stairs to the room below.'' ^ "" '''■™ *°
, "Sire, what do vou mean "" ..i-ici r i- •!•>
offended at my l t woi 1^ ', ii \^";''''' ''"'''' >■"'» g''^^^
whom the rools uiiden.eath be g •'"'' ^"^'^^' "'^ ^"" ^"^^ *«
"^}l'.y,toM. deCiuiche." ^'
"^No,toM. de Saint-Aignan."
fnim uie Voun:"i;.r!l.;^;lI't- .^"' ^^'f ""^'^ -hieh escaped
with delight. ^ ^ ' •"'"■' '"'"^^'^ t^'« Ki»K'« heart tl/rob
r h'''' *:" '^•■Jjnt-Aignan, our friend," said he
;• It is impos.sible ! Impo.s.sible '"
Kingi::;;:^,;r.ioi,^S"''=^^ -^^^^ *"^ -^^^-d of the
glun^'Sf.^'h..f ^^"^^' ^' ^^>« ^-"^- '" ul she, with a
'' You trust my words, do you not " •'
when;^,:^;:j':;;';i:xyti^ri;'": ^^^" ^'^"-«'
" What must 1 do to reature vou ■> " "'' ^"'^'"^•"
fo;:ii^::;:t;s;s::'-/ ^°°-' ^'^ ^"-^bt the K^g, but
■emu
600
THE VICOMTE Di: RRAGKLOXXE.
is not yon I distrust— it is not you
"Thank God! At least I liope so. You see Low I am
trying to remove all difficulties. Listen ! Would the pre e,^
of a third perstm re;issiire you ? " i»^ftt-ii<-e
" The p:-esenoe of M. de'Saint-Ai-nan " Yes "
"Really. Louise, you wound n... by vour suspicions "
La \a here did not answer. She nieielv hx.ked at Louis
" Alas ! Alas : It
whom I suspect."
Saint\f '." "''''\'^'^ King sighing, "I agree, then, and M. de
Sdint-A.gnan who enjoys the inestimable privilege of reassur-
nif, yoi, shall always be pre .mt at our intirviews. I pronuse
" Really, Sire ? ''
;; or!' ">^' ^ t,"'.^' -" g^ntleman. And you, on your side _ "
Oh, wait. That is not all."
" Is there still something, Louise " "'
Si^e?' ' '^'^ ""'^ ^™''' *"''*^ •'^" '^""' ^^' ^e ^'-e not yet through,
" \yell, finish hurting me."
" You see. Sire, these interviews must at least have some
reasonable motive for M. de Saint-Ai-nan -
"Some reasonable motive ? " said "the King, in a tone of
mild reiiroaeh. °'
" Yes ; reflect, Sire."
. "Oh, yon are delicacy itself, and believe me, my sole desire
to be hke you in this. It shall be as you wish, Louise Our
'' ^ Jat, Sire ? " said La Valliere, smiling.
f50 that from to-morrow, if you wish — ''
'* To-morrow ? "
" Do you mean that it is too far distant ? " cried the Kintr
pressing La Valliere's burning han.l between his own ^'
Just then steps were heard in the corridor
"Sire! Sire!- cried La Valliere, "some one is coming'
Do you hear ? Run, Sire, run, I beseech vou ' " ^ "
It w., ^^^r"^^ ^f T ^""^ *■""» '"^^ ^I'air to the screen.
It was high time. As he drew one of the panels before him
JL'if "' ''^ '^°^ ^""'^' ^"'^ ""'"^'^^^ apjeared at 'the
THE <;iiosT.
601
As a matter of cniirse she entered quite naturallv in.?
aT?.;ri,;,:rrr" '''^- "^"^^^ i--f-^iy wen tJirt'^^k„o k
at the ,l„or before openinj. ,t w„uhl he showing an unpleas-
ant suspicion towards La Valliere uapieas-
Accordingly she entered, and, after a rajjid glance which em-
braced the two Cans side by side, she took so much me To
s lut, that the king liad plenty of time to raise the tratKloor
rtiid descend again to Saint-Aignan's room
A sound which couhl have been heard only bv an ear a.
acute as hers told Montalais of the withdrawaf ot^the ,n'nce
Hnal y she siureeded m closing the rebellious doo , a ap!
prua.'huig La \ alliere, said : ^
" Come, Louise, let us talk seriously "
In her agitation Louise heard the word " seriously " on
^^- Gracious ! My dear A are,'" said she, '• what is the matter
•' My dear friend, Madame suspects everything "
" Everything ? "' •' ^"
" Is there any need for us to enter into explanations ^ Do
you not know what I mean ? Come, you ml.st have noticed
Madame s change of humor for the past several days You
luust have seen how she kept vou with her then sent von
away, and then sent for you again - ^°"
whims'/'' '* ^'''' ^'''" '*'^"^''' ^"* ^ ^'" accustomed to her
nirtv'? r"i '"'''"' ^^'""^ ^^^'^''""^' ^^*" excluding vou from the
pait.v^ yesterday, sent word for you to accompany her after
•' Y'es; of course I noticed that."'
tio','/^ior'i?'>f'"' '^''' ^^'"'.^^"^ ^^^ now sufficient informa-
tion, for she has gone straight to the point, having nothing
let m France to stem the torrent which sweeps awty all ob-
stacles You know what I mean by the torrent "^ » ^
La \ alhere hid her face in her hands
bnrsi hZ'/i ?.'"* "" Montalais, pitilessly, "the torrent which
o e threes \t' '""'i"' "^*''u' ^armeiites at Chaillot and
and a I'arl " P^'^^J "^'^'^^ ^^ the court both at Fontaineblcau
602
THE VICOMTE DE liRAa EI.OXXE.
^^.
}.o!.'hl;'V' '""'fi '","""""""' ^'' ^'^^l'i'''*^.-^till IncMon behind
hor haii^ls. whil.' l.er tears fell botwoe,, her tin-eis
tnuil.t.''" ""'^'''''' '"' ^■"" ''"'■' '"''^••'' ""b- I'alf <.f your
ther'*''"*''"'"" '""' ^'" '"""^ ^''''' =^"^i"'"^b-, •• what m.re is
" This : Madame, wlio is without further lieh, iu Fra.ue -
for she has ,u:.le use of both queens, of .Monsieur, and 'the
^.oh, eourt one alter another. - has suddeulv bethought' l!;;!
self ot a .eria n person who .dainis to luive a rn,dit to vou "'
i.a \ albere became as whit., as a waxen inia-V
pr^^l' ••'""■""'"" '■"'"'"""^ Montalais, .MS n.^t ' m Paris at
" Mercy \ " niurinured Louise.
" I'nless I am mistaken he is in I-hi'dand "'
"\es. yes- ,^r,as,,ed La Vailiere, almost overwjielmed.
Is lie not at the court of Charles IL'.' Tell me "
" \ es.
"Well, this evenin- a letter has been dispatdied bv a
Conner tuHau.ptun Court, whicd,, it seen,s, is the rnal resf
dence sUuated al ,ut a dozen nules from Lotido.r" ^
" 1 es ; well '.' ""
nilfr, ''"'■*' y;"'"'":: '^'■'^'^■'^ '■PU'ularly to London every fort-
n^ht and s.nce the ordinary courier left for London oulv- tlr eo
«la>s a-'o, [ have been th.nkinjr that onlv something' 'serious
eo.dd ave induced her to write a.ain, for Madam^, a ,
Know . IS a i)oor corresiiondent " "^
" Yes : •'
your'am^Inlt ''■' """^"'' "'' "'•'^•""' "^"'^^^''"" ^"^"^ '-• ""
" And" -r "rr""* ' ",; '^IT''"^ '^'' "'•^'^'•'""' ""•!' ">oH'a"ical!v.
seale h" I /t" 'n '"'7 "•'-' ^"^^^-^'^ ^^^sk before she
seaieu it tliou_;:^!it I eould rr id '
" Vou thou,!,dit you coulu read wliat ? "
" Perhaps I was mistaken."
"■What'.' Tell ine."
" The name of Praj,'clonne."
La Vailiere arose a prey to the ,nost painful a<,dtat.on
"Montala>s,"sanl .she, in a voice broken by s.Tbs •■ all wy
snuh,^ dreams of youth and innocence have tlM. f'h,^
notlnn- to hide from you or from anvone el^e. ^rv hie U like
an open book uluch every one may read, from the Kui, aown
I
77/a; ghost.
603
II
if
to tlio first passei-by. Aure, my dear Aure, what can I do''
wluit IS to heroine oi me '.' "'
-M'liitalais drew near.
" Why, eoiisult your own licart," said slio.
" Well I ,lo not love ^[. de Hra-elon.ie, and when I say this,
inay understand me. I l.ne him as the most devoted sister
loves a good brother ; but that is not what he asks of mo ; nor
IS that what I promised him."'
'•Well, you love tiie Kin-,-' said Montalais. '< and that is
excuse enough.
"ye«,l love the King.- murmured the young girl, dully,
«'and 1 have paid dearly enough for uttering the.se words
And now speak, Muutalais. What can you do for or against
me 111 my iue.-,eiit position '.' "
" You must speak more clearly "'
"What shall 1 tell you'.'"
« Have you nothing particular to tell me ? "
" No," said Louise, in surprise.
" Very well. Then you merely want to ask my advice ? "
" 1 es. '
" About M. Eaoul '/ "'
"Nothing else."'
"It is a very delicate subject," rej.lied Montalais.
" .No, It IS ii(,t at all so. Jhist I marry him in order to keep
tne promise I made ; or must I continue to listen to the Kiiu' '^ "
"You know very well you have placed me in a diflhult
position, said Montalais, smiling. " Vuu ask if you ought to
niarry F.aoul, whose friend I am, and whom 1 should mortally
otlend by deciding against him. Next you sjteak of listening
no longer to the King, whose subject I am, and whom I should
ottend by a. vising you in a }.articular way. Ah, Louise,
Louise you think lightly of a ditlicult position! You have
not understood me.''
"Aure," said La Valliere, hurt by Montalais' slightly
mocking ton., "if I speak of marrying M. de Hragelonne I
slioud be doing so without giving him dissatisf:iction ; but
tor the same reason i^ I listen to the King he would become
the pi.ssess(,r of one indifferent in many respects, it is true
but one to whom love lends a certain appearance of value!
\\ hat 1 ;isk you, then, is to tell me a way to disengage myself
h.morably either from one or the other;" or rather, I a.sk you
from which you thiuk I cau free myself the more honorably."
Jl
(i04
THE VICOMTI-: DE nilAfiELONy R.
'• My dear Louise," replied Montalais after a moment's silence,
" I am not one of the seven wise men of (heece, and I liave no
Huarialile rule of conduct ; but on the other hand, I have a
little experience, and 1 can assure you that no woman asks for
advice of this kind without bein^' Kie^itly troubled as to what
to do. Now you have made a solemn promise. Vou are lumor-
able. If, therefore, you are endtarrassed at havin;,' nuide such
an engagement, it is not the advice of a stranger. - Vor every one
is a stranger for a heart fidl of love. It is not. I say. my iidvice
that can draw you out of your trouble. I shall not give i't. there-
fore, especially, as, were I in your jdaee, I should feel" mucdi
more embarrassed alter the advi.e than before it. All I can do
is to repeat what I have already I^old vou. Do you want me to
help you '.' "
" Oh, yes."
"Well, that is all. Tell
me in what way you want me to
help you. Tell me for and against whom, sxj that we may not
maka a mistake."
"But in the first jdace," said La Valliere, pressing her com-
panion's hand, " on w hose side are ycm '.' "
'• On yours, if you are really my friend — "
" Are you not Madame's confidant '.' "
" All the more reason for my being of use. If I knew noth-
ing about that side I could not help you, and consequently you
would gain nothing from my acquaintance. Friendship lives
from mutual help."
« So at the same time you will be a friend of Madame's ? "
" Evidently. Are you going to complain about it ? "'
" No," said La Valliere, pondering, for this cynical frankness
seemed to her an insult to the woman and a wrong to the friend.
" Very good," said Montalais, "for if you did, you would be
very foolish."'
" So you will serve me ? "
•" Devotedly, especially if yon will serve me in return."
" One would say you did not know my heart ! " said La
Valliere, looking at Montalais with wide-opened eyes of aston-
ishirient.
" Well, the fact is that since we have been at court, my dear
Louise, we have greatly changed."
" How so '.' ■'
" It is very simple,
at Blois ? "
Were you the second queen of France
r^
if
THE PORTRAIT.
605
La VallifMP hciit her licad and lie^aii to weep.
Moiit;i!ais looked at Ium- in an indesciihahle inaniier and
muriiiuii'd :
'• Tour ,uii-l !"
Tlien adding, after a moment's pause, "Poor King I " she
kissed Lonise on the forehead, and went back to her room,
where Malicorne was awaiting her.
CHArTI':R LXXXIL
THK I'OKTKAIT.
Tn the malady called love the paroxysms follow one another
at intervals, which grow shorter as the disease increases.
Later tlio paroxysms are less frecjuent, as the cure begins to
take effect.
This being laid down as a general axiom, and as the head
of a particular chapter, let us proceed with our story.
The next day, the one fixed by the King for the first con-
versation in Saint>Aignan's room, La Valliere. on unfolding her
screen, found on the floor a note in the King's hand-
writing.
This note had been passed through a slit in the floor, from
tlie lower floor to the higher. Xo indiscreet hand or inquisi-
tive ga/e could have brought or did bring that simple bit of
paper. It was an idea of .Malicorne's. Seeing how serviceable
Saint- Aignan would be to the King on account of his apart-
ment, he did not wish the courtier to become .still more in-
dispensable as a messenger, and .so he had on his own private
account reserved this latter position for himself.
La Valliere read the letter eagerly. It appointed two
o'clock that afternoon for the meeting, and explained how to
raise the trap-door in the floor.
" Make yourself as lovely as you can,"' added the post-
scri])t.
The last words surprised the girl, but at the same time they
reassured her.
The hours dragged slowly on, but the time arrived at
la.st.
As punctual as the priestess Hero, Loui.se raised tha trap.
?*>,:
600
Tin: vi((,MTK hi: i:nA<ii:u)s\E.
door and found tlip Fvinj;: on tlie stops waiting for licr with the
greatest rcspeit in (,rd.-r to .Ljivc her liis hand. Tliis delicate
attention touched her (h'e|iiv.
At the foot (,f tlie stairs tlie lovers found tlie count, who
witii a smile and a most courteous bow thanked i/i \'alli('re for
the honor slie dul him. 'I'jien turniuL; to the Kinj,':
'■Sire," said lie, "our man has arrived.""
La Valliere looked at Louis in some anxietv.
" >radc:uoiselle," said the Kinu'. " if I lie-^ed you to do me
tlie lionor to descend to uiy r(*om, it was from interested
motives. T have sent for a most excellent painter, who excels
in portraits, and I want you to authorize him to paint your.s.
Besides, if you absolutely so desire, the jxjrtrait shall remain
in your own possession. "
La Valliere blushed.
" Vou see," said the Kin-, "we shall not only be three, but
four. Ves, indeed ; the moment we cannot be alone there may
be as many with us as you please."
La Valliere ;.,'eiitly pres.sed the tin-ers of her royal lover.
" Come into the next room, if your Majestv will,''' said Saiiit-
Aignan, opening the door.
His guests entered.
The King followed La Valliere, devouring with his eyes her
throat as white as mother of pearl, on which her light'golden
eurls lay in (dusters.
La Valliere was dres.sed in a heavy pearl-grav silk, tinged
with ro.se, with jet ornaments whi(di "setoff the "whiteness of
her skin. Her slander, transparent hands held a .x.nquet of
pansies, Hengal rose.s, and (dematis, with tender le:ives above
which, like a vase spilling perfumes, rose a H ciW.Mu tulip,
gray and violet in hue, of a pure and beautiful species, which
cost the g.'irdener five years' labor of ccmibinations. and the
King five thousand livres. This bouquet had been given to
La \ alliere by the King as he met lier.
In the room, the door i which Saint-Aignan liad just opened
stood a young man with beautiful black eves and 'long brown
hair, and (dad m a purple velvet jacket, "it was the' painter.
His canvas was re.ady and his palette at ham,.
He bowed to La Valli.'"re with the grave curiosity of an artist
wh- is studying his model, saluted the King di.Mieetly as if he
d.,1 not recognize him, and as he would have .saluted' any gen-
tleman. ■' *
THE PORT U A IT.
607
Then, loa.liii!,' MudciiK-isollo «le la Valli.M-c to a seat alroady
pn'IiartMl, lip asked her to be seated.
The yoiiiij,' .t,'ii'l tli'l so lieely, K'r:u-etnlly, her hands oceiipied
and her limhs reeliiiiiij,' on ciisiiions, and in order tiiat her
f,'aze nii-ht not be vacant or atiected, the painter a^ked her
to ehmjse some kind of oeeupation. Whereupon Louis XIV
smilingly seated himself on the eushions at the feet o'l his
mistress. So that siie, leaning baek against the arm-chair,
her Howers m lier hands, and he with uplifted eyes Hxed
.levonnngiy on her face, formed a charmn.g group, which
the artist contemplated for several moments witii satislaction •
wiule ior his part 8aint-Aignan gazed at it with feelin.'s of
envy. "
The painter sketched rai)i.lly, and soon beneath the brush
there stood out from the gray background the gentle poetic
face, with its soft eyes and rosy cheeks frame.l within masses
or golden hair.
The lovers. h(jwever, spoke little, but they looked often at
each other. Sometimes their ey^-^ became so languishin-' that
the painter was bared to interrupt his work in order tolivoid
representing an Eryciua instead of a La Valliere. Then it
was ihat Saint-.Vignan came to the rescue, and recited verses or
told stones such as Patron told and Tallemant des IJeaux wrote
so well. f)r La Valliero became weai v, and they rested.
Immediately a china tray, laden with the most beautiful
fruits that could be obtained, and rich wines, distilling their
yellow hues in silver goblets, were brought in as accessories to
this picture. Of all this the painter could trace only the
barest outlines.
Louis was carried away with love, La Valliere with happi-
ness, Saint- .\ignan with ambition. The j.ainter was storing in.
souvenirs for his old age.
Thus two hours passed. At four o'clock La Valliere rcse
and ma.le a sign to the King. Louis went up to the picture
and made some flattering remarks to the artist. Saint-Ai"nan
l)raised the portrait, which he said was already a perfect like-
ness. La Valli.'re. blushing, thanked the painter, and passed
into the ne.xt room, followed by the King, who had calhul
hauit-.vignaii.
" Until to-morrow, is it not?"' he had said to La Valliere
" Hut Sire, are you sure that no one will come to my room
and find me absent ? "
rr >^v--
■-r
608
THE VlCOMTt: DE BRAii ELOSN E.
li
mm
I
rlliiili
" Well ? •'
" Wliiit would bt'coino of mo?"
" Vou :in^ very timid. Louise."'
"Hut supiKJSti M;id;tiiie shoidd .-<••. id for me?"
*' Oil," replied the Kiii',', "will the (hiy never eome when
you yourself will tell me to hriive everytliinj,' so tli:it 1 may
never have to leave you ;i^a\\\ '.' "
"Oil that ilay, Sire, I shall he mad and you must not believe
me."
" Until to-morrow, Louise."
La Valliere heaved a siijh, hut without the eourage to oppose
the royal wish she said :
"To-morrow, then, since you wish it."
And with these words she ran lightly up the stairs and dis-
appearcil from her lover's gaze.
'- Well, 8ire'.'"' asked Saint- .\ignan wlien she had gone.
"Yesterday, Saint-Aignan, 1 thought myself the hapjiiest of
men."
" .Vnil does your Majesty regard yourself to-day," said the
count, smiling, " as the unliappiestV "
"No, but my love is an unciuencdiable 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 thirsty
do 1 become."
"Sire, that is j)artly your own fault. Your ]\Lijesty has
created the position wliicli you now occupy."'
" You are right."
" In such a case. Sire, the way to be happy is to believe
yourself so ami to wait.""
" Wait : Do you know what that word means ? "'
"There, there, Sire, do not desjiair. I have already worked
for you and I will do so au'ain."
The King shook his head sadly.
" What, Sire, have you not been satisfied, then ? "
" Yes, indeed, my dear Saint-Aignan. but devise some other
means.'"
" Sire. I will try to do so, that is all I can promise.''
The King, unaiile to see the original, wished to look at the
portrait again. He pointed out several alterations to the
jiainter and departed.
Then Saint- .Vignan dismissed the artist. The easel, paints,
and painter had scarcely gone when Muliconie showed his
THE roinHAlT.
♦;()!<
head in f-lip doorway. Saiiit-Aiijnan recpived him with o]ipn
anus. tliniii,'li witii a fcitaiii sadiipss. The tlnml which had
passed hctiirc tlip royal sua veilod in turn the n y;ii salfljitp.
At iiist ^'iaiicp .Slaliconip saw the iiieiaiichuly on Saiiit-
Aif^iian's face.
"Oh, M. h' Cninti'," said lio, "hovv f^joouiy yoii hxik !"
'• I liavo ;,rii(id reason, my (h-ar .M. Maiieorne. Will you
believe tiiat the Kin^,' is nut yet satisfied '.'"
" \ot satisfied with his stairway '.' "
"Oh, no; on the eontrarv, the stairwav has j^'reatlv pleased
him." ' ■ ' "
" Is it the decoration of tiie rooms whicli he does not
like 7 "
" Oh, so far as that is concerned he has iK^t even thought of
it. No, what has displeased the Kin^'
"I will tell you, M. le Comte. It is that he is the f'ourtli
person at a rendezvous. Why did you not i^uess it '.' "
" How could I j,'uess it. my dear M. Maiieorne, when I have
only been carrying,' out the Iviii<,'"s instructions.'"
" Did his Majesty really desire you to be present '.' "
" Positively."
" And did his Majes*^y desire also the pre.sence of the painter
wh(mi I have just met downstairs '.' "
"He insisted upon it. M. Maiieorne."
"In that case I can understand why his Majesty is dis-
satisfied."'
" Dissatisfied beeause I have so promptly obeyed his orders ?
I do not understand you."
Maiieorne scratched his ear.
" What hour did the King ajipoint for the rendezvous in your
apartments ? "'
" Two o'clock."
" And you were in your room waiting for the King ? "
" From half-past one."'
" Indeed '. "
" The deuce ! It would have been a fine thing for me to be
behindhand with 'is Majesty."
In spite of his rtspect for Saint-Aignan, Maiieorne could not
help shrugging his shoulders.
" And this painter '.' Did the King wish him to be here at
two o'clock also ? "
" No, but I had him waiting from noon. It is better, you
Vol. II. — 3«
t;i((
////; vnoMii: i>i: j!nAi.i:ij>\.\/:.
c
I
.;.' • :
i
-r :ji
SPP, fur a jiiiiiitcr to Iw kt'pt w.iititii,' fm- two liuuis than for tlie
Kmu' to havH to wait a iiionifiit."
Malii-oriic iiCLjaii lo laii,L,'li siltMitly.
'• ( 'oiiif. inv ileal' M. .Maliforiif." saiil SaiiitAiu'ii^i"- " l;nii;h
at lilt' :i little less ami talk iiiort'."
" Vou insist upon lliis ".' '"
" I n'qiu'st it."
" Well, .M. N' Coiutc, if you wish the Kini,' to he a little
hettri [ilcascd, the next time li«' coiiu's — "
■• 1 It' coiiifs to-ijioi row.
" W'fll, if yoii want his .Majfsty to l.t' Letter satistied to-
tiioirow — '
" i'riitrr Kii'nit-<iris .' as his ^n'aiidfat her used to . say. If 1
wish it. — of coiiise 1 do.'"
'• \\'ell, to-iihii'i'o\v, when it is time for the K iiiLC to ( lime, has »'
sunie husint'ss on hand, somethiii;.,' whieh caiiiiol be jm.stiMined,
soiiu'thiii!^' niu.st jiressiiiL;."
"Oh:"
" Ami stay away for twenty minutes."'
" Leave him alone for twenty minutes '.' " eiied Sain!-Aij,'nan,
in alarm.
" Well, i)ay no attention to what I liave said,"' said Mali-
C'OMie, ^'oin^' towards the dooi'.
'• \'es, yes. my dear .M. .Malieorne. Finish wh;it yoii were say-
in^,'. I am ju>t l)et,'iiiniii:.,' to undeistand. I'lit the jiaiiiter '.' "
•'Oh. lie must lie half an hour lieliiiid time."
'• Half an hour ! Do ymi think .so '.' "
" Ves, 1 ilo."'
" My tlear monsieur. I will do as you say.'
" Ami I tliink that you will lie aetin;.,' wisely. Will yon
allow me to come to-morrow for tlie latest news '.''"
" Certainly."
" I have the li imir, .M. tie Saint- .Vij^iian, to be your very re-
spectful servant."
And Maliforne withdrew from the room batkwaids.
'• That fellow has certainly more ideas than I have,"' said
Saint-Aignau to himself, thoroughly convinced.
HAMi'ToN forirr.
611
rilAITHU Lx.wiir.
II \Mno\ <(H UT.
Thk revel.itidii uliicli we liitvp scon tli;it Mont;il;iis n ado to La
ValliiTc. at tlitM'losH nf one ol tlic ])it>c('(lin'^' cliaiitiTs, naltiially
briiiLts us l)ai'k to tin- cMcf Ihto ut' this tale, a pour knight
wauiltM-iiij,' atioiit at a ki.v^-'s caprici'.
If our ii'adpr will lio '^(idil oii(iui,'li to follow us, we will ;j;()
witii liiM'^'floiHie across that strait storiiu(>r than the Kuripus,
which separates Calais from Dover; we will ei-oss that '^'leen
and fertile country, with its thousand little streams arour.d
Chariiij,', Maidstone, and ten otiier towns, ea(di more pictur-
esipie than the other, and finally arrive at Loudon
Thence, like l)looi;hounds following a track, when we have
asceitaiiu'd that llaoul had mailc his first stnp at Whitehall,
his second at St. dames, when we have learned that he hinl
been received hy .Monk and introduced into the best scK-ietv
of Charles II.'s court, we will follow him to one of Charles'
country hou.ses, near the town of Ivingston, at Hami)ton Court
on the Thames.
At that point the river was not the proud highway whidi daily
bore on its bosom half a million travcdlers, iind upheaved its
bhick waters, like those of Cocytus, as it says, " I, too. am the
sea.' No, it was only a softly-running stream, with mossy
banks, reflecting in its broad mirror willow and beech, and
some old wooden bark aslee[) among the reeds, in a creek of
alilers and forget-me-nots.
The surrounding country stretched out calm and fertile.
The brick houses presented their chimneys, from which issued
a bluish smoke, through a thick belt of green holly. Children,
dressed in red frocks, appeared and disappeared amid.st the
tall grass like poppies bowed by the breath of a passing breeze.
Great white sheep ruminated with closed eyes under the
shadow of the dwarf aspens, and far and near the king-
fisher, plumed with emerald and gold, skimmed like a magic
ball along the surface of the water, heedlessly touching as he
passed the line of his brother angler, who from his boat
watched the tench and tlie shad.
^bove this paradise of dark sh.odows and soft light rose th.e
pal&ce of Hampton Court, built by Wolsey, — a residence the
812
////; VlCOMTh: UK liR.\(ii:LO\NE.
Ii;ui<,'lity cardinal liaii niado desirahlp oven for a kinp. and
wlii/li — tiiiiiil (•(iiirticr tliat h<' was -lie in . ,1 perforce offer
to his mast M- Henry VI 1 1., win, had frowned witli envy and
eupidity at si^lit of tlio ne,w cast I.-.
Hampton ("omt. with its l)rick walls, its lar<,'e windows, its
beautiful iron Lcates. its many towers and curious hell turrets,
its retired walks ami inner foiiiitains like tliose of the Alliani-
bra, was .i bower of roses, jasmine, and clematis. It was a
(lelii,'ht Ix'th to si.Ljht and smell, and forriie<l a most charming?
settiiii,' for the ]>ictnre of love which Charles II. unrolled
ainonj,' the volnptnoiis paintings of Titian, I'ordenone, and
Vaiidyck; the same Charles who had in his gallery the portrait
of Charles I., the martyr king, and who couhrsho'- on his
wainscoting the holes made by the balls the Puritan soldiers
of Cromwell hurled, .\ugust L't, IC.JS. \> lien they had led
Charles I. a prisoner to Hampton Court. It was "there that
this king, always iiitnxicated with jdeasure, held his court:
this king who was by feeling a poet ; this king who once so
miserable had made np by a whole day of jileasure for
every mnmte which had formerly passei,' in anguish and
misery.
It was not the soft grass of Hamj^ton Court, so soft that it
resembled velvet, nor the Hower-beds which ep.circled the foot
of ev<'ry tree with rose bushes twenty feet hig.i opening like
artificial sheaves; it was not the great lime-trees whose
branches swept the earth like those of willows, offering a ref-
uge for love or reHection within the shadow of their foliage;
it was none of these things that Charles II. loved in his beauti-
ful palace at iIam])ton Court.
I'erhaps it was tiiat beautiful sheet of water, like the waters
of the Casi)iaii sea. that gieat lake on which the cool breeze
raised ripples like tho.se of Cleopatra's hair; waters strewn
with cresses and white lilies, with their sturdy roots revealing
the golden germs concealed within the depths of their milky
corollas; mysterious murmuring waters, over which black
swans floated ; where greedy water-fowl, with their tender
broods covered with silken down, pursued green flies among
the reeds, or frogs in their mossy retreats.
I'erhaps it w.as the enormous hollies with their leaves of
various hues ; or the laughing bridges thrown across the canals ;
or the fawns browsing in the endless alleys; or the birds hop-
ping about, flitting in the borders of boxwood and trefoil.
HAMPTON COURT.
613
For there was all this at Hamilton Court. There were be-
sides ^^M-oves of white roses, which cliiuhed over high trellises
ill order to shower .ipoii the ground their perfumed petals;
lliere were in the park old sycamores with mossy trunks bath-
ing their feet in moisture.
No. What Charles II. loved at Hampton Court were the
charming figures who i!i the afternoons ran across the lawns.
Like Louis XIV. he had had their beauty painted Tor his
gallery by one of tlie greatest artists of his time, an artist who
knew how to transfer to canvas the rays from so many beauti-
ful love-lit eyes.
The day of our arrival at Hampton Court was almost as
clear and bright as a ilay in France. The air was balmy;
geraniums, sweet i)eas, syringas, and heliotrope, scattered in
profusion over the lawn, exhaled their iutoxicatin;. jjerfumes.
It was one o'clock. The King, on his return from hunting,
dined, and paid a visit to the Lady CastelnuuKe, then iiw^t-
posed to be his mistress, and after this jiroof of his tidelitv
he was able, with perfect ease, to pursue his infidelities until
evening.
The whole court was given up to amusement and love
affairs. It was the period when huiies seriously questioned
gentlemen as to their opinions upon this .>r that more or less
charming foot, according us it was encased in a rf)se or a green
silk stocking. It was the period when Charles XL declared
that there was no safety for a woman without green silk
stockings, because Miss Lucy Stewart wore them of this color.
While the King is endeavoring to make known his jireier-
ences on this point we will turn to an avenue of beech trees op-
posite the terrace, where a young lady, in a dark-colored dress,
is walking with another, dressed in lilac and dark blue.
They crossed the lawn, in the midst of which rose a beau-
tiful fountain, ornamented with bronze sirens, and strolled on
chatting to the terrace, along which, from behind a bri( k en-
closure, several summer houses of various styles of architecture
looked out upon the park ; but as the summer houses were, for
the most part, occupied, the young girls passed on. One was
blushing, the other was dreaming.
.\t last they reached the p id of the terrace overlooking the
Thames, and finding a cool retreat, they sat down together.
" Where are we going, Stewart ? " said the younger to her
companion.
I
614
THE viroMih: !)!■: iu;.\(!i:u).\si:.
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" My dear Griill'ton, you see very well that we are going
where you arc leading us."
" 1 ".' "
" Yes, you. To the end of tlie palace towards that seat
where the young Frenchnian is waiting and sighing."
Miss Mary Gratt'ton stopped sliort.
<' No, no," said she, " 1 am not going there."
"Why not?"
" Let us go back, Stewart."
" No, on the contrary, let us go on and have an explana-
tion."
" What about ? "
" As to why the Vicomte de Bragelonne accompanies you on
all your walks, and why vou invariably accoompany him on
his."
" And you conclude either that he loves me or that I love
him •.' "
" Why not ? He is a delightful gentleman. No one hears
me, I hope,'* sai^l Miss Lucy Stewart, turning around with a
smile which indicated, however, that her an.xiety was not
great.
" No, no," said ^Liry, "the King is in his oval cabinet with
the Duke of Huckingliam."
" Speaking of the Duke of Buckingham, Mary — "
" Well V •''
" It seems to me that since his return from P'rance he has
become your knight. How is your heart in that direction '.' "
Mary (Jratfton slirugged her sho\dders.
'• Well, I shall ask the charming IJragelonne about that,'"
[■aid Stewart, huighing ; "let us go at once and find him."
" Why ? "
" I want to speak to him."
'• Not yet, one word first. Tome, Stewart, you know all tne
King's secrets -- "
" Vou think so '.' "
'• Well, you, if any one, ought to know them. Tell me wny
^^ lie Bragelonne is in England and what he is doing."
" Whatever a gentleman slujuld be doing who has been sent
friiin one sovereign to another."
•• Tliat may be, but seriously, ;ilthough politics are not our
strong point, we knnw ennugii aiiout them to understand that
^L de Bragelonne is here (ju no very important mission."
M-
HAMJ'Toy Co CUT.
615
" Listen," said Stewart, with assuiued gravity, "for your
sake I am going to betray a state secret. Sha'l I repeat to
you tiie letter wiiieh Louis XIV. gave M. de Brageloime for
his N.cijesty king Charles IL ■."'
" Ves, do.-'
" Well, this is it :
" ' J/r UuurUEU : J smd i/oii n gentleman frorr tny voiirf, the
sou of one. lion lore. Treat him kimlly, 1 l'je,j, and make him
like Emjlanil.' '
" Was thai '^ "
" Word f... word, or very inueh like it. I will not answer
tor tlie form, only for the subject matter."'
" Well, what do you or, rather, what does the Kine infer
from it •.' ■' ^
" That the King of France has his own reasons for sending
away M. de liragelonne and for marrying him somewhere else
than in France "'
" So that in consecjuence of this letter ''
"King Charles received ^i. de B'agelonne, as you know,
in the most royal and friendly manner. He has been given
the most beaiitifii! apartments in Whitehall, and as you
are the most precious person at court iiiasmuch as vou have
rejected his heart — do not blush — he wished you to take
a fancy to the Frenchman and to make him .so beautiful
a present as yourself. This is why you, the heiress to
three hundred thousand livres, a future duchess, beautifu'
and good, have taken part in all the excursions at which M.
de Bragelonne has been present. In short, it was a plot,
a knid of conspiracy. It you wish it to succeed take this aa
a hint."'
^Lss Mary smiled with a charming expression which was
habitual to her and pressing her companion's arm said:
" Thank the King for me.''
'' Yes, yes, but the Duke of Buckingham is jealous. Take
care ! '' said Stewart.
Scarcely had she uttered these words when the duke himself
came out of one of the summer houses on the lawn, and ip-
proaching the young girl with a smile, said :
" You are mistaken. Miss Lucy, I am not jealous. And the
proof of this, ?T: , , Mary, is that yonder is he who ought to be
the cause A m.. - .asy, the Vicomte de Bragelonne, meditating
alone, poor fehow ; Permii, me to surrender to him for a few
616
Tin: IICOMTE DE nUAdEI.OXSE
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<
'11
fHil
nioiiiPiits your gracious coniijany while I spoak with Miss Lucy
Stewart."'
Tlien bowing to Lucy : .
" Will you (h) me the lioiior To take my arm in order tiuvt I
may conduct you to the King, who is waiting for us '.' ''
SVith tliese words Huckinguam, still smiling, took Miss
Lucy Stewart's hand and led lier away.
Left alone, ^Liiy (Jraffton. lier head on her shoulder with
that indolent grace which is characteristic of young Engiish-
womtn, stood for a moment, lier eyes fixed on Raoul, but as
if uncertain what to do. At last, after first turning jiale,
then Mushing, thus showing the struggle which was going
on in her heart, she seemed siuldeidy to make uj) her mind,
and with a tolerably firm step advanced towards the seat
on which Kaoid was sitting, buried, as we have said, in deep
thought.
The sound of Miss Mary's steps, light as they were on the
velvety lawn, aroused Raoul ; he turned round, perceived tin-
young girl, and went forward to meet the comj)anion whom
good fortune had thrown in his way.
" I have been sent to you, monsieur," said Mary Graffton.
" Will you accept me ? "
" And to whom are my thanks for so great hajipiness due,
mademoiselle ? " asked Raoul.
" To the Duke of Uuckingham," replied Mary, affecting gayety.
"The Duke of liuckingham, who longs so passionately for
your charming society I Can 1 believe you, madenu)iselle '.' *'
"The fact is, monsieur, as you see, that everything con-
spires to make us pass the best, or rather the greater, iiart of
our days together. Yesterday it was the King who requested
me to let you sit near me at table, to-day it is the Duke of
Buckingham who begs me to come and sit by you."'
" And he has goue away, leaving the pla<M3 free for me ? "
asked Raoul in some embarrassment.
" Look yonder at the turn of the path. He is just disap-
pearing with Miss Stewart. Are they so considerate in France,
M. le Comte ? "'
" Mademoiselle, I cannot tell exactly what is done in
France, for I am scarcely a Frenchman. I have lived in
many countries, and almost always as a soldier. And then I
have spent a great deal of time in the country — I am almost
a aavage."
HA \f pros COURT.
617
" Vou do nut lik'' Kti^land, do you ? ''
" f do not know," siiid Raoid, absent-mindedly, with a deep
Si,!,'il.
•• Wliy do you not kno^v ? "
" I h^'A your piirdon," said Kaoul, shaking his head and col-
leotinj,' liis thou-hts. " I did not liear you."
"Oh," said tliH you ig girl, sighing in her turn, •• liow wrong
it was of tlif Duko oi Buckingham to send me here ! '"
" Wrong •/ ■' said Kaoul, quickly. •• Vou are right. My
society is tiresome, and you must be bored with me. He cer-
tainly was wrong to send you here."
■• It is just because I am not bored with you that the duke
was wrong to send me," replied tiie young girl, with her calm,
vibratory voice.
Raoul blushed.
" liut," said liH, " huw did tlie J>uko of Huckingham liappeu
to send you to ine, aiul how did ycju ha))i)en to come '.' The
duke loves you and you love him — "
" Xo," replied Mary, seriously, " the duke does not love me,
for he is in love with the Dudiesse d'Orleans, and as for my-
3elf I have no feeling whatever for the duke."
Kaoul looked at the young woman in astonishment.
'• Are you a friend of the Duke of Kuokingham's, vicomte ?"
she incpiired.
" The duke lias honored me by calling me his fr •" ' ever
since we met in France."
" You are mere acquaintances, then ? ''
" Xo ; for the duke is the very intimate friend of one whom
I regai as a brother."
" The Comte de Guiche ? "
" Yes, mademoiselle."
" The one who is in love with the Duchesse d'Orldans ? "
'■ Oh ! what do you mean '.' ''
" .\nd who is loved in return," continued the young girl,
quietly.
Kaoul bent his head, and Miss Mary Graffton went on with
a sigh.
" They are very happy. But leave me, M. de Bragelonne,
for the duke has given you a troublesome commission in offer-
ing nie as a companion for your walk. Your heart is < .sewhere,
and you find difficulty in thinking of me at all. Confess thiS,
vicomte. It would be unfair if you did not."
618
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" Mailoinoiscllc, 1 do ('(nifcss it.''
Shf looked at liim.
Ho was so simple ana so bpautit'nl. TTis oyes had in them
so niuch gentleness, eandor, and resohition tliat it could not
enter the liead ut' any woman as di--tini,Miished as Miss Mary
that the youn;^' man was either dihcuurteous or a simpleton.
She saw only tiiat he loved another woman with the whole
8trenj,'th of his heart.
" Ves, I understand," said she. '• You are ia love with
some one in Franee."
Kaoul oowed.
•' Does the duke know about it '.' "'
" Xo i,\\c knows about it," replied Raoul.
" Why do you tell me, then '.'"
" Mademoiselle — '"
'• .Vnswer me I "
" I cannot."'
" It is tor n-,e. then, to anticipate an explanation. You do
not wish to tell nie anything,' because you are now convinced
that I do not love the duke ; because you see that perhaps I
might have loved ym ; because you are a gentleman of feeling
and of delicacy; and beiause instead of accei)t'ng^eveu were
it but to amuse you bu- the moment — a hand that has been
forced upon you. instead of giving nie smile for smile, you who
are young have preferred to say to me who am beautiful, ' I
have left my heart in Frame." Well, I thank you, M. de
Fiagelonne. You are a noble gentleman, ami I like you all
the better for it — as a friend. Now let us talk no more of
myself, but of you. Forget that Miss Gratf'ton has ever spoken
to you of herself. Tell me why you are sad, why you have
been even more so during the last few days."'
Kaoul was dee])iy moved by the r.weet and melancholy tone.
He could not find a word in answer, and the young girl again
came to his aid.
" Fity me I " said she. " ^fy mother was a Frenchwoman
and I can truly say that I am French, too, in blood as well as
in feeling. Tlie fog and the gloom of England seem to weigh
upon me. Sometimes my dreams are golden and full of won-
derful happiness, but suddenly a mist rises and overclouds my
fancies, which vanish forever. It has been m}U .s time. For-
give me, I have said enougli on tiiis subject. 'Jive me your
liaud and tell me your troubles as to a friend."
1#4<
//I MI'IOX CnrRT.
(U'.t
"You am Freiidi liy liirth and fpelini,', you say?"
" Ves ; not only was my mother a r'Tcnrhwoman, but sine"
my tatlier, a frieml of Kin;; ( 'liarles I., was cxileil to Franci'
during the trial of that jirince and diiriiiL,' the life of the I'ro-
tector, I was brought up in Paris. At the restoration (jf King
Charles II. my poor father returned to England, wlicre lie
soon died. Then King Charles made nie a duehess and gave
me a dowry."'
" Have you relatives in France still ? " tasktvl Jiaoul, deeply
intt-rested.
" I have a sister, my senior by seven or eight years, who was
niariied in Fran'^e ; she is now a widow. Her namt' is Madame
de IJelliere."
Ka(.al gave a start.
*• Do you know her ? "
" I have heard her name."
•'She, too, is in love, and her latest letters tell me that she
is happy. Therefore she must be loved. I told you, M. de
Kragelonne, that I possess half of her nature, but I do not
share her happiness. Mat let us sj)eak of you. Who is it
that you love in France '.' ''
" A young girl as ])ure and white as a lily.''
" But if she loves you, why are yon wretche<l '/"'
" I have been told that she no longer loves lue."
" But you do not believe it, I hope ".' "
" He who wrote lUe did not sign his letter."'
" An anonymous denunciation I Oh, there is some treachery
in that,"' said ^liss (iratt'ton.
" Wait,'" said Raoul, showing the young girl a note which
he had read and leread a hundred times.
Mary Graffton took it.
" Vicomtp,'' said the letter, " i/nu are riijht to (nnu.ie t/oiir-
self in Enijhind with the lon-li) ladies nroiuul Kiiuj Cliiirles
II., for at tlie court of Louis XIV. the stronfjliohl of your
affections is sufferin;/ a sietje. Renidin forever in. London.^
poor vicomte, of return at once to Paris."
" Xo signature ? " said .Miss Mary.
" None."
" Do not believe it, then.'"
" Yes ; but here is a second letter."
" From whom ■.' "
.„/»;•'.(■.■>.
620
•////•; VK'OMTE DE URAUKLdSSE.
" From M. d*' (inichf.''
" Oh, that is aimlher thing. What does it say ? "
" Keail."
" Ml/ frii'ii'/, [ (lit) u-iinit<li(l, ill. Cunif hurl:, Iimvil, romf
back.
" />f: (IriciiEy
mm
I
<
" Wliat shall you do '.' " asked the youii!,' girl, with a tight-
ening ( f her heart.
" On receiving the letter uiy idea was to take leave instantly
of tiie King."'
" When did yon receive it? "
'" Day before yesterday."
" It is dated trtuii Fontainehlean."
" That is strange, is it not, for the court is at Paris '.' At
all events I would have gone, but when I sjioke to the Ring of
my dei)arture, he began to laugh, and aid : • How does it
happen that you are leaviutr, Monsieur 1 .Vnibassadeur ? lias
your sovereign recalled you '.' " I blushed, tor I was cuili.ir-
rassed. .\s a matter of fact, my King sent m. here, and 1 havo
received no order to return."
Mary pondered, frowning.
" And you intend to remain ? " asked she.
" I must, ina<lemoiselle.''
" And she whom you love — "
" Well •' "
" Does she write to you? "'
" Never."
" Never ? But does she not love you ?"
" At least she has not written to me since my departure."
" Did she use to write to fou " "
" Sometimes. I hope she may have been prevented."
" Hush! Here is the duke."'
At that moment Uuckingham ajjpeared at the end of the
walk, alone and smiling. He advanced slowly and held out
his han<l to the young peoule.
" Have you come to an understanding ? " said he.
'• About what '.' " asked Mary Graft'ton.
"About anything that might make you happy, dear Mary,
and Kaoi 1 less miserable."
" I do not understand you, my lord,'' said Raoul.
IIAMI'IOS vol RT.
621
"Tliis is my Dpinioii, Miss Mary. Do 3'ou want me to give
it bt'f'ori- iiiniisicur ■' " an he smiled.
'• It yuii mcaii," rejiiied liie young girl, proudly. " that 1 wa.s
rcadv to love M. de Biageloime, it i.s (luite usele.-^.-;, for 1 have
told him HO already myself."
Hiick Ingham [Hjndered, and, witliout losing counttMianop, as
she iiad expected, continued :
" It is because I knew that yrni have delicate feelings iind
are a loyal friend that ' left you with M. de Hragelonne,
whose wounded heart might he liealeil by such a [)liysiciaii as
yourself."
" Hut, my hn-d, before mentioning M. de Hragelonne's heart
you spoke to me of your own. Do you want me to cure two
hearts at once ".' "
" That is true. Miss Mary, but you will do me the justice lo
admit tliat I soon gave up a useless quest, recognizing the fact
that my own wound was incurable."
Mary thought for a moment.
"My lord,"' said she, '<M. de Bragelonne is happy. Tie
loves and is loved in return, lie has no need of such a phy-
sician as I."
"M. de Bragelonne," said Buckingham, "is on the eve of
experiencing a serious misfortune and he has greater need
than ever of sympathy."
'■ Explain yourself, my lord," said Baoul, quickly.
No, I shall explain myself only gradually, but if yen so
desire, I can tell Miss Mary wh-at you yourself will not care to
hear.''
" My lord, you torture me. You know something?"
" I know that Miss Mary (Jraffton is the most (^harming
object that a wounded heart could meet on its wav tlimugn
life."
" My lord, I have alreaily told yon that the Vicomte de
Br.agelonne's heart is elsewhere," said the young girl.
'> He is wrong, then."'
"You know that, M. le Due? You know that I am
wrong ? "
" Yes."
" lint whom does he love ".' '" cried the young girl.
" He loves a lady who is unworthy of him," said Bucking-
ham, in that calm, quiet manner pecidiar to Englishmen.
^liss Mary Gratfton uttered a cry which together with the
622
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'-1
'fjjy
words (if ISuckiiiKliiiiii brmi^lit to I '.laj^'cloimo's cheeks a ji.illor
Ciiuseil liotli by siiipiisf ;tiiil ;il;iiiii.
••D.ikc:" siiid lie, •• you Imve jiist suokeii in such f.-ishinn
tli;it uiiliout an inslanl's delay 1 sliail be obliged to seekaii
exidaiialioii in Paris.''
" Vou will remain here," said JJiukinghani.
"II"
" \'es, yi'ii."
" Why V"
" I'.ecMMse yon have no ri;^'ht to leave ; no one can leave the
service of a kint,' tor thai of any woman, eve were she as
worthy of love as is Afary (IrafTtoii."
"Then tell me what yon mean."
" I will oti condition that you remain liere."
" I will do so if you s|ieak to me frankly."'
They had reached this point in the conversation, and Hnck-
in<,'ham no donbt was about to tell, not everythin},' that had
ha|ii>ened, but everything,' lie knew, when one of the Kiiij^'s
valets api eared at the end of the terrace and apiuc-ached
the summer house in which the Kin;,' was sitting with
Miss Lucy Stewart. He was followed by a courier covered
with dnst, who looked as if he had but jii-t dismounted from
his horse.
"The courier from France! Madaine's courier!" cried
Raoul, recogni/ing the livery of the duchess.
The attendant and the courier were admitted to tie King,
while the duke and Miss (Jraftton exchanged a look full of
meaning.
tit;
CHAPTER LXXXIV.
TIIK CoriJIKK I'liOM MADAMK.
CnAKrj:s II. was engaged in proving or in trying to prove
to .Miss Stewart that he cared only fur her, consetpiently he
was promising her a love like that' which his ancestor Henry
IV. had felt for Cabrielle.
riifortunately for Charles, he had chosen an niiliickv day,
a day on which .Miss Stewart had taken it into her head to
make him jealous. So instead of being touched bv his offer,
as the King had hoped, she began to laugh.
THE rornii.ii fhom ma da mi:.
828
"Oh, Sin*, Siro," sht- ci it'll, iiuTiily, "if T wptp iiii fortunate
oii()iij,'li tu iihk you for a |)roof of your low, hi>\v i'ss^ il would
be to see that you are tt'liiuj,' a faUehooil ! "
"Listen to nie," said Charles, " you know my cartoons by
Ilaphael, and h<i\v much I care for them. They are the envy
of es-ery one, as you well know. My father had Vandyt k
I'liy them for him. Would ymi like me lu have them sent
tins very day to your rcjoms '.' "
"Oh, no," rejilied the youn^' K''l : " J'ray keep them, Sire.
My rooms are too small to accommodate sucli f,'nests."
•* !n tliat case 1 will give yuu Hampton Court for the
cartoons."
"He less generous. Sire, and love longer; that is all I
have to ask."
"I will love you always; is not that enough?"
" ^du are smiling. Sire."
"Do you want me to weeji ? "
" Xo ; but 1 should like to see yon a littlt; more melan-
choly."
"Thank Heaven I my love, I have been so long enough;
fourteen years of exile of poverty and nusery. It seems to
me my debt is paitl. I'.esides, melancholy makes one so
ugly-"'
" Not at all ; look at the young Frenchman."
"The Viconite de Ih-agelonno ! Are you too taken with
him'.' Odds-tish ! They will all grow mad over him one
after another. Hesides, he has a re;ison for being melan-
choly."
" Why ? "
" Ah, well, 1 shall have to tell yon state secrets."
" You nnist if I wish it, for you said you would do any-
thing I wanted."
" Will, he is bored in this country. There ! are you satis-
fied ? •'
" He is bored'.'"
" Yes, which proves that he is a simpleton."
" A simpleton ".""
"Certainly. Can y(m believe it '.'' I allow him to love Miss
Mary Graffton, and he is bored I "
" Good ! it seems, then, that if you were not loved by Miss
Lucy Stewart, you would console yourself b}' falling in love
with Miss Mary Graffton '.' "'
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624
THE VICOMTE DE BUAGELONNE.
" I do not say that. Tn the first place, yim know that Mary
Gratftou does not love nie. JJesides, one consoles hiinself tor a
lost love only by the discovery of a new love. l!ut, as I said,
it is not a question of myself, but of that younj; man. One
might almost call the girl he has left behind him a Helen —
a Helen before tlie coming of Paris, of course."
" lint ha;; this gentleman left some one, then?"
" That is to say, some one has left hiui."
" Poor fellow ! so much the worse."
" "What do you mean by ' so much the worse ' ? "
" Yes, why did he leave ? "
" Do you think that he left of liis own free will ? "
« Was he forced to leave, then ? "
" He left Pr.ris under orders, my dear Stewart."
" Under whose orders ? "
" Guess."
"The King's?"
" Exactly."
" Ah, you are opening my eyes."
" Say nothing about it, at least."
" You know very well that I am as discreet as any one. So
the King sends him away ? "
" Yes."
" And during his absence takes his mistress from him ? "
" Yes. And will you believe it, the poor fellow, instead of
thanking the King, is bemoaning his fate."
" Thank the King for depriving him of his mistress ? Why,
that is not a very gallant speecli towards women in general
and towards mistresses in [larticular, Sire."
" But pray understand nie. If she whom the King is
taking from him were a Miss Graffton or a Miss Stewart, I
should be of his opinion, and I should not think him desperate
enough. ]\\\t she is a little, thin, lame girl. Devil tak(> such
fidelity! — as they say in France. The idea ! To refuse one
who is rich for one who is poor, a girl who loves him for one
who is betraying liim."
" Do you think that Mary seriously wishes to please the
vicomte, Sire ? "'
" Yes, indeed, I do."
"Well, the vicomte \vill settle in England. Mary has a
clear head, and when she wants a thing she wants it very
much."
THE COURIER FROM MADAME.
625
" My dear Miss Stewart, take care. The vicointe will live in
our country, you say ? It was not very lont,- ago — only day
before yesterday — that he asked my permission to leave it."
" Which you ref\ised ? "
" I should think so. The King, my brother, is too anxious
for his absence, and as for me it is a matter of pride. It shall
not be said that I have offered this young man the best and
sweetest treasure in England — "
" i'ou are gallant, Sire," with a pretty pout.
"I do not allude to Miss Stewart," said the King, "for she
is worthy of a king's devotion ; and since I have fallen in
love with her, I trust no one else will follow suit. I say,
therefore, that 1 will not have been kind to this young man
in vain. He will stay with us, and will marry here, or may
God damn me I "
" And I hope that, when once he is married, instead of being
angry with your Majest} , he will b egrateful to you ; for every
one is trying to j)lease him, even the Duke of Buckingham,
who, incredible as it may seem, appears to be eclipsed by him."
'• Even Miss Stewart, who calls him a charming cavalier."
"Listen, Sire. Vou have jiraised Miss (irattton sufficiently
to ensure my forgiveness for any ju-aise of Uragelonne. But,
by the way, Sire, for some time past your kindness has aston-
ished me. You think of the absent, you pardon offenders,
you are almost perfect. How does it happen?"
Charles II. began to laugh.
" It is because you let me love you," said he.
" Oh, there must be some other reason."
"Well, I want to oblige my brother, Louis XIV."
" Give me still another reason."
" Well, the real motive is that Buckingham recommended
the young man to me. saying: 'Sire, I begin by resigning
all ciaim to Miss Graffton in favor of the Vicomte de Brage-
lonne. T)o likewise.
" Oh, the duke is indeed a true gentleman ! "
" There, there, now. let your head be turned by Bucking-
ham ! You evidently wish to drive me to the devil to-day."
Just then some one knocked at the door.
" Who dares to interrupt us '^ " cried Clharles, inipatiently.
" Really, Sire." said Stewart, " your ' Who dares ? ' sounds
verv foolish, and in order to jmnish you for it — "
She went to the door herself and opened it.
Vol. II. — 40
626
THE VICOMTE DE BRAGELONNE.
m
w
<
" Ab, it is a courier from Fraiu-el '' said Miss Stewart.
"A courier from France I " cried ('harles. "From my
sister, perhaps.''
" Yes, Site,'' cried the attendant, " a special messenger."
" Come in, come in,'' said Charles.
The courier entered.
" You have a letter from Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans?"
said the Iving.
" Yes, Sire," replied the courier, " and so ur<^ent a letter
that I have taken only twenty-six hours to bring it to yaur
Majesty, altliougli I lost tliree-(piarters nC an hour at Calais.'"
" Your zeal shall be rewarded," said the King, opening the
letter.
" Really," said he, bursting into laughter, " I cannot under-
stand it."
And he reread tlie letter.
Miss Stewart liad assumed a most reserved manner, trying
to restrain her ardent curiosity.
" Francis," said tlie King to his valet, " look after tliis good
fellow, and give him a bed. To-morrow when he wakes let
him find a purse of fifty lonis by his bedside."
" Sire : "
" Begone, my friend, begone. My sister was right to urge
speed. The matter is most pressing."
And lie began to laugh harder than ever.
Tlie valet and Miss Stewart did not know what manner to
assume.
" .\h I " said tlie King, throwing himself back in his arm-
chair. " when I think that you have broken down — how many
horses ? "
" Two."
" Two horses to bring this news ! That will do. Y'ou may
go, my friend."
The courier withdrew with the valet.
Charles went to the window, opened it, and leaning out
called :
" Duke I Duke I my dear Buckingham, come here."
The duke hastened to obey, but when he reached the door
he saw Miss Stewart, and hesitated.
" Come in and shut the door, duke."
Buckingham obeyed, and, seeing the King's high spirits,
came forward with a smile.
.mtmBAi-ui^
THE cor lit Eh FROM MADAME.
627
" Well, my dear duke, how are yon getting on with your
Frenchman ? "
" Sire. 1 ara in utter despair about him."
" Why so ? ■'
" Because that adorable Miss (iraffton is willing to marry
him, and yet he does not wish it."
" Wliy I the Frenchman is a Ba'otian, then ! "' cried Miss
Stewart. " Let him say yes or no, and end the matter."
" Hut," said Buckingham, gravely. •• you know , or you ought
to know, mademoi.seile, that M. dc I'ragelonne's heart is else-
where ! "
'• In that case," said the King, coming to Miss Stewart's aid,
" nothing is easier. Let him say no."
" I have proved to him that he made a mistake in not say-
ing yes."
" You told him, then, that La Valliere has betrayed him ? "
" Yes, in so many words."
" And what did he do ? "
" He gave a start, as though to clear the channel at a
bound I "
" Well," said Miss Stewart, " at least he has done something,
and it is very fortunate, too."
"But," went on Buckinghom, "I stopped him; I left him
talking to Miss Mary, and I trust that now he will not go as
he intended to do."
" He intended to leave ? " cried the King.
" For an instant I doubted wliether anj' human [)ower could
stop him. But Miss Mary's eyes are bent on him and he will
remain."
" Well, that is where you are mistaken, Buckingham," said
the King. " The poor fellow is predestined."
" Predestined to what ? "
" To be deceived, which means nothing : though to \v >k at
him it means a good deal."
" At this distance and with Miss Graffton's aid the blow can
be warded off."
'< Not at all. There will be neither distance nor Miss
Graffton's aid. Bragelonne will leave for Paris in an hour."
Tiuckingham made a gesture of surprise.
Miss Stewart opened her eyes.
" But, Sire, your Majesty knows that is impossible." cried
the duke.
^y •■
628
77//-; V/COMTE DE BltAdEl.nSN E.
km
I
■T
1
"That is to say, my dear Mu(kiiij,'liHiii, that it is impossible
until it happens.'"
'• Sire, tiie yoiinf;^ man is a lion.''
" I can believe it, Villiers.''
"His anger is terrible."
" I do not deny it, my dear f.-iend."
"If he sees las 'uisfortune at closer range, so much the
worse for the autlur of it."
" So be it, but what would yon have me do ?"
'' Were it even the King," cried I'.uckingliam. " I would not
answer for him."
••Oh, tiie King has musketeers to look after him."' said
Charles, quietly. '• I know that, for 1 was kept waiting in his
antechan;ber at I'.iois. He has M. d'Artagnan. He 's a
g)iardiau indeed I 1 should make myself easy, you see, in the
midst of twenty storms of auger like those of your Jtrageloune.
if 1 luid four guardians like .M. d'Arcagnan."
■'Oh, but I beg your Majesty, wh » is so kind, to reflect,"
said l^uckingham.
" See," said ( 'harles, handing the letter to the duke ; " read
it and tell me what you would do in my place."
lUickingham slowly took Madame's letter, and, trembling
with emotion, read the following words :
" For i/')iir s'l/n', for mine, for fhf /lo-ior and thi> safffij of
every one, send Jf. df lirarjelonne hark to France at once.
" Your devoted sister,
" JleXIUETTA."
" What do you say to it, Villiers ? "
" Why, Sire, I have nothing to say," replied the duke,
stupefied.
<• Would you," said the King, affectedly, " advise me not to
obey my sister when she writes so urgently ? "'
"Oh, no, no, Sire! .\nd yet — "
" You have not read the postscript, Villiers. It is under
the fold and escaped me at first. Read it."
The duke turned dowu the fold which hid the line :
'■ .1 thoiisfind re mem /iron res to those ii'ho lore me.''
The duke turned pale and bent his head. The paper shook
in his fingers as if it had turned into lead.
THE covniicn fuom ma dame.
G20
Tlip King waited a moment, then, seeing that Buckingham
remained silent , continued :
" He must foll(jw his destiny as we ours. P^vei y one suffers
grief in this world. I have had mine, as well as that of those
who belong to me. I have borne a double cross, but tlie devil
take my cares now ! (Jo, Villiers, go, and bring this gentleman
to me."'
The duke oi)ened the trellised door of the summer house
and, pointing to Kaoul and Mary who were walking side by
side, said :
" Oh, Sire, what a cruel blow for poor Miss (Iraffton ! "'
" Come, come, call him,"' said Charles, bending his black
brows. " Is every one sentimental here ? There is Miss Stewart
wii>ing her eyes. The devil take the Frenchman ! Go ! "
The duke called Raoul, an<l taking Miss Gratfton by the hand
led her to the summer house.
" M. de Bragelonuc," said Charles II., '• did you not ask me
day before yesterday for permission to return to Paris ? "
" Yes, Sire," replied Raoul, greatly puzzled by these words.
" Well, my dear vicomte, I refused, I believe."
" Yes, Sire."
" And you were angry with me ? "
"No, Sire ; for your Majesty no doubt had excellent reasons
for refusing ; your Majesty is too wise and too good not to do
everything you do well."
" I alleged, I believe, this reason, that the King of France
had not recalled you ? "
" Yes, Sire, that is what you said."
" Well, I have reflected, M. de Bragelonne ; if the King in
fact did not fi.x your return, he begged me to make your stay
in England agreeable ; but since you ask my permission to
return, it is because your stay here is not agreeable to you."
"I do not say that, Sire."
" No," said the King, « but your request at least signified
that another place would be more agreeable than this."
At that moment Raoul turned towards the door, against
which Miss Graffton was leaning, pale and unnerved. Her
other arm was on the duke's.
" You do not reply," pursued Charles. " The French proverb
is plain, ' Silence gives consent.' Well, M. de Bragelonne, I
can now satisfy you. You can leave for France whenever
you please ; you Lave my authority."
G30
77//; VICoMTE DE LRAGELO.\Mi
"Sire!" cxchiiiuHd Riuml.
" Oh I " nmiimin'il Maiy, iiressinjr Huckin<Tliam's arm.
*• Vou can be at Dover tins CNeiiiuf,'," cDiitiiuied the King;
" the tide is favuiabie at two o'cluck in the nioiiiuij,'.''
Kaoul, astoiindeil, stammered a lew words, whuli served the
purjHise lioth of tliauks ami ()t' exeuse.
•' I tlieret'ore bid you adieu, M. de liragelonue, and offer you
every good wish," said Charles, rising ; " you will conler a jdeas-
ure on me by kee[)ing this diamond in remembrance ot' me.
1 had intended it as a marriage gilt."'
Miss (iralfton was ready to taint. Kaoul took the diamond,
and as he did so lie felt his limbs give way. lie murmured
a few coni])limpntary words to tiie King, a compliment to
Miss Stewart, and looked for Buckingham to bid him adieu.
Tlie King took advantage of this moment to disai)]iear.
llaoul found the duke engaged in keeping u}) .Miss Grafftou's
spirits.
" Tell him to remain, mademoiselle, I beg you,'' whispered
Buckingham.
" I sliall tell him to go,'" said Miss Graffton, with returning
animation. " 1 am not one of those women who liave more
pride than heart. If the beloved one is in France let him
return to France, and bless me for having advised him to go
and seek his hajipiness there. If, on the contrary, he is no
longer loved let luin come back again. I .shall still love him,
and his trouble will not have lessened him in my eyes. In the
arms of my house there is that which God has engraven on
my heart: ^ Ihiln-ntl jntntin, tujentl cunrfti;' 'To the rich
little, to the poor everything.'"
*• I do not believe, my friend,"' said Buckingham to Eaoul,
" that you will find there the equivalent of what you leave
here."
" I think, or at least I hope,'" said Eaoul, gloomily, " that
she whom I hjve is worthy of me. But if it be true that she is
unworthy of me, as you have tried to make me believe, duke,
I will tear her from my heart even though my heart breaks
in the effort."
Mary Graffton looked at him with an expression of indefina-
ble pity.
Kaoul smiled sadly.
" Mademoiselle,"' said he, " the diamond which the King has
given me was destined for you. Let me ott'er it to you. If I
I .S3
If 1
THE KING WATCHED THE PROGRESS OF LA VALLlfeRE'S PORTRAIT.
<
-i J,
MALiconxirs iDi'/ci:.
t;:n
marry in Fnuico, y..ii will scad it back to ino : if I ,lo Mot
marry, keep it."
And he Ijowcd and went away.
•' What does he mean ".' ' tlion-lit Hurkiiiffham, while Kaoul
pres.sed Miss .Mary's iry liaiid with pnitnimd respect
.Miss .Mary understuo.l the h.uk that Uuckin-ham fi^.-d on
her.
'• If it were a wechlin^'-riii- I would m.t ac.ept it." slie said
'• let yon asked him to return to you."
"<Jh! dnke,-'eried the yoiinK girl, het ween her sobs, <' a
woman hke me is never taken as a consohition by a man of
his nature."
" Then you think he will imt return '.' "'
" Never '. " said Miss Ciralftoii. in a chokiii-,' voice.
" Well, I tell yon that in France lie will fhid his happiness
destroyed, his fiancee lo.-.t to him. His honor, even, has not es-
cajied. \\hat will be left him there equal to your love V Tell
me. .Mary, you who know yourself so well."
•Mis.s GratTton laid her white hand on Huckin-hanrs arm
and while Kaoul was hurrying' with headlon- speed down the'
path beneath the lime-trees, she repeated in touchinL' accents
the hue from " Romeo and Juliet " :
" ' / must he (/diu; awl lir,-, or atnij and dii-.'''
As she finished the last word Kaoul disappeared.
Miss (J-raffton returned to lier rooms paler and more silent
than death.
Bmdiingham profited by the arrival of the courier who had
brought the letter to the King to write to Ma.lame and to the
Comte de Guiche. The King had been right. At two o'.dock
in the morning the tide was high, and Kaoul embarked for
r ranee.
CHAPTER LXXXV.
SAINT-AIGXA.V FOLLOWS MALICOKNk's ADVICE.
LouLS XIV. watched the progress of La Yalliere's portrait
with a care arising as mucli from the desire to have it resem-
ble her as from an i.lea of deferring as long as possible its
completion.
He followed the painter's brush, awaiting the carrying out
'IV
:3ms.:
A"
v> ■
682
////■; vicnMti: hi: nirxar.i.o.wi:.
of ail itlfii or tilt' result of sdinc color coiiihiiiatiuii, ;iii(l suK'^fist-
ill;,' to thf imiiitt'i- v;uioiis (■li;iiii,'c.s, to wliicli tlio latt'-r coii-
8Piil»'(l with respect till docility.
Then, when liie artist, lullowiiiK Mulicoriie's iulvice, wiis ;i
little late ill arii\ in;,', when Saint-Aif^iian liad some l)ii>iiiess
requinii;,' his attention, it was interesting to (>l)serve, thougli
no one saw them, those ex()ressive moments of .siltMice wiiich
iiniteil ill one si;,'h two souls wholly disposed to uiulcrstand
each other, and eai,'er for (piiet and meditation.
Then tli<' minutes sped as if by magic. The King drew near
his mistress and burnt her by the fire of his glance, the contact
of his breath.
Sudileiily a noise would be heard in the antechamber, the
painter wouhl arrive, Saint-Aignan would return with e.xcnses,
tile King would begin to speak, lia Valliere would answer him
hurriedly, and from their eyes Saiut-Aignan knew that in his
absence they had lived a century.
In a word Malicorne, that unconscious iihilosopher, had
learned how to arouse in the King an apiietite in the midst
of |)lenty and a desire in the certainty of possession.
That which La Valliere feared never happened.
No one guessed that during the day she was away from
her room for two or three hours. She i)retended that lier
health was uncertain. Those who went to lier ;ii)artinent
always knoiiked before entering. Malicorne, the man of so
many resources, had constructed an arrangement by which
La Valliere when in Saint-Aignan's room could hear the
steps of visitors going to her own apartment. So without
going out, without having any contidant, she could return to
her apartment, removing by her ajipearance, even if somewhat
tardy, the sus[iioions of the most stubborn sceptics.
The next day after putting his latest scheme into effect, Mali-
corne had asked Saint-Aignan for news, and Saint-Aignan had
been <;i)liged to confess that the quarter of an hour's freedom
had put the King into a most pleasant humor.
'• We must double tiie dose," rejilied Saint-Aignan, " but
little by little. Wait until they wish it."
They wished it so much, however, that on the evening of the
fourth day, as the painter was putting together his materials
before Saint- .\ignan's return, the latter entering saw upon La
Valliere's face a shade of disappointment which she could not
hide. The King was less reserved, and showed his annoyance
M.\ucunM:'s M)Vii-i:.
688
by a very siK'nificaiit sliiiiR of tlu- shniiidcrs, wherpupon La
Valliere bliislicd.
•• (Jo(m1 : ■■ siiid S;iiiit-AiKiiiiii to liiinsflf. •• M. .Malicorue will
be (l«!li);lileii this fveiiin^,'."'
And siudi, lu fiut, was the rase.
" It is very evident,"' said lie to the count, '< that Madcinoi-
sello de hi \'alli6re hoped tliat you would be at least ten min-
utes later."'
•• And the King that I would be half an hour later, my dear
M. Malieurne." "^
" Vou would be a very poor servant of the Kin^;," replied
the latter, "if you were to refuse the satisfaction of that half
hour to his Majesty.'"
" Hut the painter '.'"' objected Saint-Aignan.
" I will look after him," said .Malicori.e. "Only let me take
counsel fnjiu faces and circunistauces. Those are mv iaiple-
luents of magic, and while sorcerers are enabled by means of
their astrolabe to take the altitude of the sun, the moon, and
the stars, 1 am satisfied by looking into peojde's faces to see
if their eyes are encircled with black or if the mouth describes
a convex or a concave arc."'
" Observe, then ! "
" Do not fear."
And the cunning Malic ^rne had every opportunity to
observe, for that same evening the King went with the
queens to Madame"s apartments and had so long a fac^e and
uttered such deep sighs, gazing at La Valli^re with such a
languishing expression, that Malicorne said to Montalais dur-
ing the evening :
'* Wait till to-morrow I "
And he went off to the painter's house in the street of the
Jardins Saint-Paul to request him to postpone the sitting for a
couple of days.
Saint-Aignan was not in his rooms when La Valli^re, now
quite familiar with the lower story, raised the trap-<loor and
descended. The King, as usual, was waiting for her on the
stairway, holding a bouquet in his hand ; as soon as he saw
her he took her in his arms.
La Valli^re, greatly affected, looked around and seeing no
one but the King, did not complain. They sat down. Louis
reclining near the cushions on which Louise sat, his heati rest-
ing on her knees, as if in some place of refuge whence no one
A /•:
634
Tin-: VICOMTE DE BRAGELONNE.
pp;
I
could bcanish liiiii. Thus he f,'azp(l at licr auil, ^s if the
moment had c-ume wiien uuthiuj,' couhl come between these
two souls, she on her side gazed at liim.
And from her eyes, so soft and pure, emanated a flame
whose rays first kindled and thcni intlanied tlie heart of her
royal lover. Warmed by eontaet (jf the tremblinpr limbs,
trembling with happiness when Louise's hand rested on
his hair, the King grew giddy from happiness, altliough he
momentarily expected the return either of the i)ainter or Saint-
Aignan. At thought of this he strove to shake off the intoxi-
cation to which he was succumbing. He strove to put to sleej)
his heart and his senses, and th.ust aside the reality to run
after its shadow.
Hut the door was opened neither by Saint-Aignan nor by
the painter. Not even did the hangings move. A mysterious,
voluptuous silence reigned in the room, which seemed to affect
even the birds in their gilded cage
The King, uvercouie, turned hi.^ uead, and buried his burn-
ing lips in La Vulliere's clasped hands. Lhe herself had
grown faint, and ])ressed her trembling iiugers against her
lover's lips. Louis threw himself upon his ki ees, and as
La Valliere had not mm-ed her ht>ad, the Jving's forehead was
on a level with her lips, and in her ecstasy she furtively
passed her lips ac'ross the perfumed locks which caressed heV
cheeks. The King seized her in his arms, and, witlio\it any
resistance on her part, they exchanged their first kiss — that
burning kiss which changes love into delirium.
Neither the painter nor Saint-Aignan returned that day.
A sort of intoxication, heavy yet sweet, which vivifies the
senses, and like a slow poison introduces sleep into the veins,
— that impalpable, languishing sleep, — fell like a cloud between
the past and the future of the lovers.
In the midst of tlieir ecstasy a noise was heard on the
floor above. At first it aroused La N'alliere, but did not
wholly waken her. However, as it continued, as it made
itself heard, as it recalled to reality the poor girl, drunk
with illusion, she rose bewildered but beautiful in her
disorder.
" Some one is waiting for me upstairs. Louis ! Louis ! Do
you not hear ? " ihe asked.
" Well, am I n(jt wailing for you ? "' said the King, tenderly.
" Let otiieis wail for you in future.'"
MALICOHNE 's A D VICE.
636
But slie gently shook her head.
" Happiness hidden '. " said slie, with a sob ; " power con-
cealed : .Vy pnde should be as silent as my heart."
The noise was again lieard.
" I hear .Montalais' voice," said she, and she hurriedly as-
cended the stairs.
The King followed, unable to let her leave him, and cover-
ing with kisses her hand and the hein of her robe.
"Yes, yes," repeated La Valliere, who was already half
through the opening. " Ves, it is .Montalais calling. Some-
thing important must have happened."
"Go, then, my dear love," said the King, "but return
quickly."
"Oh, not to-day. Adieu ! Adieu ! " and she stooped down
once again to kiss her lover, then she escaped.
Montalais was in fact waiting for her, very pale and agitated
" QuiCh. ! quick ! " said she. " He is coming "
" Who ? Who is coming '.' "
" He ! I was warned of it."
" But who ? Tell me. You will kill me by keepin<r me
waiting so ! " j f o
" Kaoul," murmured Montalais.
" Yes, r, I," said a joyous voice on the last steps of the
grand staircase.
La Valliere gave a terrible shriek and threw herself back-
wards.
" Here I am, Louise, dear," said Raoul, rushing in " Oh
1 well knew that you still loved me ! " '
La Valliere, with a -esture of terror and malediction, strove
to speak, but could scarcely utter a word
" No ! no ! " said she.
And she fell back into Montalais' arras, murmuring •
" Do not come near me ! " .
Montalais signed to Raoul, who stood as if petrified on
the threshold, not even attempting to advance another step
lated ™'""' ''^^^" glancing towards the screen she ejacu-
" Oh, the careless girl ! She has not even closed the trap,
door I *
And she advanced towards the corner of the room to adjust
the screen and behind it the door. But suddenly from behind
It came the King, who hatl heard La Valliere-s cry, and was
636
THE VICOMTK l)i: lUl AGEinwi:.
hastening to lier assistance. Throwing himself on his knees
before her. lie overwhelmed Montalais with questions. She
was beginning to lose her head.
Hut just as he fell on his knees, a cry of despair rang through
the corridor, and the sound of retreating stei)s was audible.
The Iving ran to see who had uttered the cry, and whose were
the steps.
In vain Montalais strove to retain him.
Leaving La Valliere, he went to the door, but Raoul was
already at a distance, and all that Louis saw was a shadow
that soon tu.ued a corner of the hall.
CHAPTER LXXXVL
TWO OLD FRIENDS.
While every one at court was thinking of his own affairs, a
man mysteriously took up his stand behind the I'lace de Gr^ve
in a house which is already known to us as having been be-
sieged one day by D'Artagnan.
'I'he principal entrance of this house was in the Place Bau-
doyer. It was ratlier large, was surrounded by gardens, in-
closed in the Rue Saint-Jean by the shops of tool-niakers, which
protected it from inquisitive looks, and was walled by a triple
rampart of stone, noise, and verdure, like an embalmed
mummy in its triple coffin.
The man to whom we have referred walked with a firm
step, although he was no longer in his first youth. His dark
cloak and long sword plainly showed that he "was one in search
of ailventure; and judging from his curling mustaches, his fine,
smooth skin, which was visible beneath his sombrero, how
could one fail to believe that his adventures savored of gal-
lantry ? ^
In fact, scarcely had the cavalier entered the house when
eight o'clock struck from Saint-(;ervais. Ten minutes later
a lady, followed by an armed servant, knocked at the same
door, wliich an old woman immediately opened for her.
On entering the lady rai'^ed her veil. She was no longer a
beauty, but she was still a woman, no longer voung. but still
active, and of imposing appearance. Keneatii a rich toilet.
TWO OLD FUIEXDS.
637
most exquisite in taste, she oonrealed an age which Ninon de
1 Lnclus alone would have smiled at with impunity.
Scarcely had she readied the vestibule when the cavalier
whose features we have only sketched, came forward, holding
out his hand. *'
•• -My dear duchess," said he.
"How do you do, my <lear Aramis ? " replied the duche.^s.
He led her to an elegantly furnished apartment, the high
windows of u-hich reflected the dying ravs ui the sun which
hitered through the lihick tops of some firs.
They sat down side by si.le. Neither thought of askiii'- for
more light, but buried themselves in the shadow, as if Uiev
wished to liuiy themselves in forgctfulness.
"<'hevalier," said the duchess, '-you have never "iven me
a sign of life since our interview at Fontainebleau. and I con-
less chat your presence there on the dav of the Franciscan's
death, and your initiation in ceitain secrets, caused the liveliest
astonisliment I have ever ex]iciiciiced."
"I can explain my presence there as well as mv initiation,"
said Aramis. - '
•'IJut first of all,'- said the diuhess, .piicklv, " let us talk
a little of ourselves. We have been fri.nds so'ioi." ''
" \ es, madame, and if (iod so wills we shall condnue to be
triends, not for a long time, but forever.''
" That is certain, chevalier, and mv visit is pro.if of it ''
"At present, madame, we have not the same interests we
used to liave, ' said Aramis, smiling without fear in the half
light, tor no one could see that his smile was less a-r-eai^ie
and less bright than formerly.
" To-day, chevalier, we have other interests. Every a^^e
brings its own ; and as we now understand ea(di other in talk
ing as well as we once did without saying a word, let us talk
VV 111 you ?
" I aiv. at yfur orders, duchess. Ah, I beg your pardon, but
now and why did you discover my adih-ess ?"
" Why ■.' I have told you - curiosity. ' I wanted to know
what you liad to do with the Franciscan with wliom I had
some business, and who died in so stramre a manner Vcu
know that during our interview at Fontainebleau, in the
cemetery at the foot of the grave so recently closed, we
were both so moved that we could not say anything to each
otlier. ■ "
l!Sbi*<'V" ./.;'-•■
688
77/ A' VICOMTE DE BRAGELO.WE.
" Yes, madame."
" Well, no sooner ha,l I left you than I repented, and T
huvc always been anxious to know about it all. You know
tliat Madame de Longueville is very like me, do vou not "
" I did not know it," said Aramis, discreetly "
M remembered tlicn," eontinueil the du.-hess, "that we
liad said n,.tlHng in the cemetery. Vou had not said what
you had had to .h. with the Franciscan whose burial vou
super, utended, and I IkuI not spoken ot what I was to h'im
AH this seeuied very unworthy of two ^.„od friends like our
selves; so 1 have sou-lit an op[Kn-tuiiity of an interview with
you in order to give you .l,c information 1 have a<(nnrcd. and
V", J"?,"'^'' ''^^'^'■''^ Michon, poor thing, is .lead, but has
left behind her one who remember.- evervtliin-- "
Aramis bowed over the duchess-s liaii.i; and "pressed a kiss
upon it.
in finding me again,'
You must have had some trouble
sitid he.
" Yes," she answered, annoyed at being brought to what
Aramis wished to know, " but I knew you were a friend of M
bouquets, so I looked for him." ' '
"A friend! Oh'-' exclaimed the chevalier, -you use too
strong a word, madame. A poor j.riest who has been favored
by a generous protector, and whose heart is full of gratitude
and devotion — that is all I am to M. Fonquet."
" He made you a bishop ? "
" Yes, duchess."
" Hut, my handsome musketeer, that is your retiring pension."
;^As poitical intrigue is yours," thought Aramis. "And
so, lie added, « you inquired for me at M. Fouqnefs " "
" Very easily. You had been to Fontainebleau with him, and
had made a little trip to your diocese, which is Kelle-Isle I
believe. '
'- Oh, no, madame," said Aramis, " my diocese is ^'annes."
Ihat IS what I meant. P.ut I thought that JJelle-Isle — "
• Is a house belonging to M. Fonquet, that is all "
" Ah ! I had been told that Belle-Isle was fortified. Now
1 know that you are a soldier, my friend."
'• I have forgotten everything military since I entere.l the
••iiurcli, said .Vrainis, annoyed.
•' It is enough to know tliat I heard you ha<l returned from
V amies, and I sent to a friend, M. le Comte de la Fere "
TWO (H.r> FRIENDS.
639
not know
' out' who
and that
"Ah!" said Aramis.
" He was very discreet, and answered that lie did
your address.''
" Always the same Athos," thought tlie bisho., ■
IS good IS always so."'
" Then you know that I cannot show invself here mn
the (|ueen mother always lias some grievance against me "
" U hy, yes, and I wonder at it."
" Oh : there are several reasons for it. JUit to -nntinue • I
was forced to hide myself, but fortuna'elv met .M. ,i' vrta-nan
— one ot your old friends, is he n..t •.' " " - o ,
" One of my friends still, duchess."
" He gave me some information and .sent me t(. .M. de liaise-
meau.x, the governor of the Hastille."
Aramis gave a start, and from his eyes there flashed into the
Shtedlri'end' "'""'' '' "'"'' ""* -""'"'^^ ^'•'-' '^ ^'--^-
you to Idni^^''""'""' ' "' '^'^ ^' ' " ^'^^ *^'^ D'Artagnan semi
" Oh, I do not know."
" What can it mean?" said tlie bishop, summoning all his
thoughts to sustain tl e combat in a fitting manner
" ■;'; 'le.I^'i'semeaux is your debtor, D'Artagnan told me."
" I hat IS true.
" And Uie address of a creditor is known as well as that of
" That too is true And so liaisemeaux indicated to you— "
.Samt-Mande, where 1 forwarded a letter to you '"
"Here It IS, and it is most precious to me,- sa'id Aramis
suice I am indebted to it for the pleasure of seeing you '•
fl.. I^'tw 'u'''''/^*''^"^ ='* having successfully uverconie all
the dithcult.es .,f the explanation, breathed freely once more
Araniis, however, could not do so.
^^^" We had gone as far as your visit to Baisemeaux ? " said
" No/' said she, smiling, « farther than that."
" In that case we must have reached your bitterness against
the queen mother. ' fe- '■ i-
" Farther still," said .>he, " farther still ; we were speaking of
the connection -with the Franci.scan. Well, it is very simple "
saul she, taking up her role ; " you know that I am livincr ,vith
M- uf |jnicf|ue.-: '.' " °
c
<
640
THE VICO.MTE DE BRAGELONyE.
-4
" Ves, madame.''
" A quasi-husband."
" So I have heard."
" At Brussels ? "
" Yes."
of "evivthiir'^^'^^ my children have ruined and robbed me
" How terrible, diu-hess ! "
"Terrible indeed I had to resort to .somethinj^ n. order to
live and particularly in order to keep myself fron? vegetating "
" Ur course. o b
•' I had ohl hatreds to turn to account, old friendships to
make use of ; I no longer had either credit or protectors "
\ou who had helped so nuiny," said Aramis, suavely.
That IS always the case, chevalier. Well, at that time
I frequently saw the King of Spain "
"Ah!" ^ ■
"Who had just nominated a general of the Jesuits, according
to the usual custom. ^
" Is such tlie custom '.' "
" Were you not aware of it ? "
" I beg your pardon. I was absent-minded "
iClZ"^^)^ ''"'"^ '^^'' ''""" -^"" ^^™ ^'^ •■'*''°^*« ^ith
" With the general of the Jesuits, you mean '^ "
"Exactly. Well, then, I had seen the Kmg'of Spain He
wished to do me a service, but could not. He ,^ave L recom
mendations, however, to Flanders, both for me and for Laicques
the Sen"' ""' "" "" ^''°'''''' ""^^ °^ *^' ^"^"'^ belonging to
" Of Jesuits ? "
toml"'" '^^'^ general -I mean the Franciscan _ was sent
" Very good."
nJ/nf 'I/" '(f^' ^T "'"^^"" '""'^^ *^^ requisitions of the stat-
Lrvin '''\!*''"'f'' I ^^'f^ r«P"ted to be able to render certain
services. \ ou know that such is the rule."
"No, I did not know it," said Aramis
per'/e'ctltk."'^"""^ ''""''^ ^" ''^'^ ^' ■^'-'-^' ^^^^ '' --
" Well, such IS the rule," slie resumed, "therefore I ou-ht
to seem to be of some use. I proposed to travel for the Order,
^fc^i^y^y --r^
TWO OLD FHIHXDS.
641
le
;o
is like a
from the
you will
and I have been placed on the list of affiliated travellers. You
understand that it was a formality for the sake of ani)ear-
ances ? ''
" Splendid I"
" In that way I received my pension, which was very con-
venient tor me.''
"Great Heavens: duchess, what vou tell mo
dagger-thrust. Vou oblig-d to receive a pension
Jesuits . "
"No, chevalier, from Spain."'
" Except fur a matter of conscience, duchess,
admit that it is about the same thing "
" No, not at all."
"But surely of your magnilicent fortune there must re-
main — ■'
" Danipierre. That is all."
"That is still very beautiful."
.'■ \^f '• ^^^^^ fJampierre is burdened, mortgaged, and almost a
ruin, like its owner."'
"And can the queen mother see all that with dry eyes ? "•
said .\ ram is, with a searching glance, which met only ^shadows
" \es, she has forgotten everything."
" You, I believe, duchess, tried to be restored to favor? "
" Yes ; but by a strange coincidence the King inherits his
father's antipathy for me. Ah, vou will tell me that I am in-
deed a womm U) be hated and that I am no longer one to be
loved."
"Dear duchess, pray come quickly to what brought you
here, tor I believe that we can be of use to each other.'"
" 1 have thought .so, therefore 1 came to Fontaineblcau with
a twofold object. In the first place I was sent f')r by the
Franciscan whom you knew, — by the way. how did you know
hun ^ I have told you my story, and yet you have not told
me yours. '
" I knew him in a very natural wav, duchess. I studied
theology with him at Parma. We became friends, and were
afterwards separated by business, or travel, or war."
" You knew, of course, that he was the general of the
Jesuits'.'
" I suspected it."
" But by what strange chance did vou happen to be at the
inn when the affiliated travellers met there ? "
Vol. II. - 41
t\4'2
THE VICOMTE DE BIlAGELo.XXE
Oh sui. Anim.s, calinly, •' it was by .•l.ance. I was .'..ini?
to h.ntau.el.k.au to M. Fo„<,„efs to l.av.. ai. au.li,.n.f ..? the
Km- I was i.assui- by, iinknoun, wlicu I sua- tin- i,.,oi-
dy.ng num on the r„a.l, and nrog.nzed bin,. V.,,, ki.uu' the
rest; hv died iii my anus."
" Ves, but leaving to y„„ so vast a power tluit you issue
in his name sovereign (.>rder.« "
" He did eliarge me with a few commissiu'is."
" And for me '.' "
" I have tohl y,M. V sum of twelve thousand livres was to
be paid to you. I think I gave you the ne.essary signature to
enable you t. receive it. Did vou not get it '.' "
"'"'.yes. '">' dear juelate. Vou give your orders, I am
toid, with so much mystery and su.'!, august majestv that vr.u
are generally suppcse,! to be the .succes.sor „f the "poor d'ead
general. '
Aramis colore.l with impatience. The du.-hess continued ■
I have been informed by the King of Spain,- said she!
and lie cleared up my doubts on that point. Every general of
•the Jesuits IS nominated by him. and according to ihe statutes
of the Order mus be a Spaniard. Vou are not a Spaniard
and you liave not been nominatetl bv the King of Spain "
Arainis answered nierelv :
"Vou see duchess, how mistaken you are, since the King
oi Spain told you that.'' ^
thi'nkiS '^f^f '^''"°''' but there is something else I have been
" What is that ? "
" Von know that I think a little about evervthin- "
" Oh, yes, duchess.'' - °'
" Do you know Spanish ? "
" Every Frenchman who lias been engaged in the Fronde
knows Spanish.
" Vou have lived in Flanders ? "
" Three years.'*
" And you have stayed at .^rad^id? "
" Fifteen months." ^
" Vou are in a position, then, to become a naturalized
Spaniard when you like ? "'
" You think so?" .said Aramis, with a frankness which de-
ceived the duchess.
" Undoubtedly. Two years' resi.lence and an ac.iuaintanoe
f
TWO OLD FRIEXDS.
643
He
Put-
with the lanpuage an' iiidispensahle. Vou have three years
and a half - tittfon nidiiths iiioro than is necessary."
" What are yon Iri.i.i^' at, my dear huly '.' "'
" At tliis: 1 am on px- 1 terms with tlie Kinguf Spain."
" I am not on had terms," tlion^ht Aramis.
'• .Shoidd yon like me to ask the Kinf,' to apjtoint you succes-
sor to the Franciscan '.' " continned the duchess.
" Oh, duchess:"
" You have it already, perliaiis ".' " said she.
" No, upon iiiy honor."
" Well, I can render you that service."
" Why did you not do it tor .M. de Laicques, duchess ?
is a very talented man. anil you love him, too."
" Ves, certainly; hut that has nothing to do with it.
ting Laicques aside, will you have it?"
"No, I thank you, duchess."
She was silent.
" He is luniiinated,'" she thought.
" If you refuse me in tins way." .said Madame de Chevreuse.
"it is not very encouraging in case I have somethng to ask
of you for iny.self."
" Oh ! ask, ask."
" Ask : I cannot, if you have not the power to grant uiy
request."
" However limited my power, ask all the same."
" I need a sum of money to restore Danipierre."
" Ah ! " said Aramis, coldly, " money '.' Well, duchess, how
much ? "
•' Oh I a round sum."
" So much the worse. You know that I am not rich."'
"No, hut the Order is. If you had been general — "
" You know that I am not general."
"In that case you have a friend who must he rich —
M. Fouqu^t "
" M. Fouquet? Madame, he is more than half ruined."
" So it is said, but I did not believe it."
" Why, duchess ? "
" Because I, or rather Laicques, has some letters from
Cardinal Mazarin, which confirm the existence of strange
accounts."
" What accounts ? "
'• In regard to sums of money borrowed and disposed of. I
644
/•///? i-/rn)fr,.: nr. RftAGnr.oxxE.
<
M.' ■•vItI, „,:,;;I ,';;;;„;■.;";" '""■•■ -'" '^"<-» -'i .1. t ...,i
b. iinr;;: f,,„',: I'l::,':-'.,;;;'":?.."'""" ""'^- »'■' "-"" ""^ -■'
■■ I leitainlv an, in n.-ed i,f nn.ney."
need 1" '°"'l"^t, tor the tive hundred thousand livres I
" Five hundred thousand livres ' "
th:;i°s:;ei',.!:;,,^™:i»'' ■'"'"'''■ """• "^ke at .east
" Yes, niadauie."
Aramis said nothing.
•• ;^;;;"'"'s^^>^I she, .. what are you thinking about""
Ian nalang oerta.n additions," sai.l Aran.is
tryi.^ o nudtir Wh^^"^ 'T? subtraetions. I am
^v2u^en.ight';;ii^rst^^te'^L;;^r':^-"^^ ''' ^^ ' «-
V> 111 you allow me time to reflect ? " said Aramis.
TIVO (I/. I) FRIf-:.\l>S.
646
•■ No, lor witli Slid, an ..|..M,inK' LKwcrM i-e.-plo likoonrsplves
thp luiswpr must Iv an iiiimediatf ' v.-s ' ,„• • „„• - •' '
'• Tins is a snan-/- tl.ouj;la the Vslmp; "it'ls impossible
that A, m,. ol Austria would listen to su.-h a woman -
" Wfll 7 said the duchess.
•• Well ma.hnu." I shuul.l l,e very uiu.h surprised if M
h.u.p.ethad hve hundred thousand livres at hi^s (lisiKKsalat
the present moment." '
"There is no u.se disenssiuK it furtlier," sai.l the duchess,
and Da.np.erre will have to be resto.-ed as best it may "
M>h, I trust you are not embarras.sed so .uuch i,s that'"
' -No. I am ..ever embarrassed.''
" And," .onti.ined th.' bishop, - the queen will certainly do
tor you what the sup.Minten.lent is unable to do "
'• Oh. yes. indeed ! But tell me. perhaps you would prefer
n.) not speaking mysell to M. Fouquet about these lette.^s ""
"In that matte.-, you must do whatever you please, duchess-
•M. l-ou<,uet either feels ..r does .lot feel himself guilty If he
IS guilty, know he is prou.l enough not to adnut it; if he in
not, he will be g.-eatly offended at vour menace."
" lou always reason like an angel."
And the duchess rose.
qu:.^'-' ^inr^'s'""" '" '""""^^ ''■ ^'''"^'''' *" *h«
'• Denounce ! Oh, what a disagreeable word ! I shall not
denounce, my dear fne..d. You understand polities too we'
rF;s;;.::;'rtt:,r^^^---^- '''■^'^' ^^^-^--^
" That is right."
« And in a party war, a weapon is always a weapon."
"No doubt. ^
" Once on friendly terms again with the queen mother. I may
be a dangerous enemy." ^
"That is your privilege, duchess."
" I shall make use of it, mv dear friend "
t.l?''-.f!,""T^^-'^T^i'* that M. Fouquet is on the best of
terms with the King of Sj.ain, are you, duchess "^ "
" 1 suppose he is."
««v l^ >'«", />«f 1 \V^^ty warfare against M. Fouquet, as you
say .vou will he will begin another against you." ^ ' "^ "
" Well, what can you expect ? "
" That is his privilege too ; is it not ? "
T*.
mum
c
<
64fi
////•; VI COM IE ni-: Hn.\(iEU)\xE.
will tiini tlia*
.'(•IlCIlll Ot till'
pension I have been receiving,'
" Oitainlv."
•' Ami as lie is on ^jood tonus with S|)aiii, Id
fri«-ii(lshi|) into a weapon."
" Von mean that hti is on ^'tH)cl terms witli tli»
Jesuits, my dear Aramis.''
" That nay Iw, ilnehess.''
" And that eonsecpiently tin
from th(! Urder will he stopped."
" I fear .so."
" Well, I must console myself. F'or after Hiehelieu, after
the Fronde, after exile, what i.i there for Madame de Che-
vrense to fear'.' "
" The pension, y(»u know, is forty -ei^,'ht thousand francs.'"
" .Mas I I am (piite aware of it."
"Moreover, in [lartv contests, yon know the friends of the
enemy are aimed at."
" .Vh ! you mean that they will fall on poor Lait-ques '.'"
" That is ahi'ost inevitable, chudiess."
"Oh, he receives only twelve thousand livres' pension. '•
" Ves ; but the Kin^ of Sj)ain has some inHuence ; advised
by M. Fouquet, he nught get M. Laie(jues shut up in some
prison."'
" I have no great fear of that, my dear friend, because
once reconciled with Anne of Austria, I would undertake that
France demand M. Laic(jues' freedom."'
" True. In that case you will have something else to
fear."'
" What is that ? " said the duchess, pretending to be sur-
prised and alarmed.
" Vou will learn, — and you must know it already — that
having once been an atHliated member of the Order it is not
easy to leave it. The secrets one may have acquired are
unwholesome ; they carry with them the germs of uiiafortune
for whomsoever may reveal them.'"
The duchess pondered a moment.
•'That is more serious," said she. " I will think it over,"
and notwithstanding the profound darkness Aramis felt a
glance as burning as red-hot iron escape from his friend"s eyes
and plunge into his heart.
'• Let us recajiitulate," said Aramis, holding liimself on his
guard, and slipping his hand into his doublet, where a dagger
lay concealed.
TWO ()/./) /■ii/i:xj,s.
ti47
Sliort accounts make long
" Ves, let us recapitulate
friends."
" The ouppifssioM of yotir pension — "
'• Jorty-eiffht thousand livres in. I t),at ^f t • .
that " ^' ""^ ^ "'" ''■>■'"« ^" «"^ ""^ yo'T e<,uivalent for
^^^^^Fiye hundred thousand Hvres which I shall get from the
" Or which you will not get "
LlU'ri; """"' ■" '■■"'•'■"'« "'*■"." '"W the .luchoss,
.iJnZ;:^:- "at.::^ ^™;i- 1;«^' «» »„, k™,„
thoroughly on its LMrir.l f ""''^'ike his mind was so
^va„4„.^u;.r':.^;:;;l;:;;\',,r;'£,--''' '■« gained .he
" Ah ! " said Aramis.
" I am flank, you see."
sa„d"t:r'h'a™ bee?™:: 'Vo,f' m' I " ?™ ""■«''»'' *»"■
648
THE VirOMTE 1)E BRAGELO'^'l
your own there will still he that of your ciuldreii, your poor
pensioners, and various other people. The letters, compro-
mising as tliey may be, will not be worth from three to four
millions. By tlie rood, duchess ! The diamonds of the
Queen of France are worth more than those tij^ures signed by
Mazarin, ant! yet their recovery did not cost a quarter of what
you ask for yourself."'
" All that is very true, but the merchant puts his own price
on liis goods. 'i"he customer buys or not as he pleases."
" Wait a moment, duchess. Should you like me to tell you
why I will not buy your letters ? "
" Yes."
" Your letters from Mazarin are forgeries."
" The idea ! "
" What I say is true, for it would at least be strange that,
after (puirrelling with the queen through M. Mazarin, you
should have kept up any intimacy with the latter. It would
smack of passion, espionage, and of — indeed, I do not like to
use the word."
<• Say it."
" Complaisance."
" That is all quite true, but the letters are none the less
genuine."
" I swear to you, duchess, that they will not serve you with
the queen."
" Oh, yes, I can make use of everything with the queen."
" Very good," thought Aramis, " chatter on, magpie ; hiss
away, viper!"
But the duchess had said enough, and started towards the
door.
Aramis had reserved for her one humiliation — the curse
which the vanquished is he.ird to utter behind the triumphal
chario*-. He rang a bell. Candles ajijjeared in the room, and
the bishop found himself in the midst of lights which shone
upon the worn-out face of the duchess. Aramis hxed a long,
ironical look uj)on her jiale, withered cheeks, upon her dull
eyes, her mouth, carefully closed over teeth, now few and
blackened.
He threw himself into a graceful attitude, with his proud
and intelligent head thrown back, smiling to show his teeth,
which in the light shone with a sort of brilliancy. The aged
coquette understood the trick of the gallant. She .vas stand-
TWO OLD FRIENDS.
649
ing directly in front of a large mirror in which all her decrep-
itude, so carefully concealed, was made tlie more manifest
by the contrast. Then, without even salutinL,' Aramis, wiio
bowed with the charming ease ot the musketeer of earlier
days, she hurried away with trembling .-Leps, impeded still
more by her haste.
Aramis glided across the room like a zephyr to lead her to
the door.
Madame de r'hevreuse made a sign to her servant, who re-
sumed hi.s musket. Thus she left the house in which two s eh
tender friends had not understood each other because they nad
understood each other too well.
i a:
m'
>5v.
;l
M
"■*-