Similar to these were the reflections of Aramis as he watched, with an anxiety impossible to describe, the silent progress of the emotions of Philippe, whom he perceived gradually becoming more and more absorbed in his meditations. The young Prince was offering up an inward prayer to Heaven for a ray of light upon that perplexity whence would issue his death or his life. It was an anxious time for the Bishop of Vannes, who had never before been so perplexed. Was his iron will, accustomed to overcome all obstacles, never finding itself inferior or vanquished, to be foiled in so vast a project from not having foreseen the influence which a few tree-leaves and a few cubic feet of air might have on the human mind? Aramis, overwhelmed by anxiety, contemplated the painful struggle which was taking place in Philippe’s mind. This suspense lasted throughout the ten minutes which the young man had requested. During that eternity Philippe continued gazing with an imploring and sorrowful look towards the heavens. Aramis did not remove the piercing glance he had fixed on Philippe. Suddenly the young man bowed his head. His thoughts returned to the earth, his looks perceptibly hardened, his brow contracted, his mouth assumed an expression of fierce courage; and then again his look became fixed, but now it reflected the flame of mundane splendors,- now it was like the face of Satan on the mountain when he brought into view the kingdoms and the powers of earth as temptations to Jesus. Aramis’s appearance then became as gentle as it had before been gloomy.
Philippe, seizing his hand in a quick, agitated manner, exclaimed: “Let us go where the crown of France is to be found!”
“Is this your decision, Monseigneur?” asked Aramis.
“It is.”
“Irrevocably so?”
Philippe did not even deign to reply. He gazed earnestly at the bishop, as if to ask him if it were possible for a man to waver after having once made up his mind.
“Those looks are flashes of fire which portray character,” said Aramis, bowing over Philippe’s hand. “You will be great, Monseigneur; I guarantee it.”
“Let us resume our conversation. I wished to discuss two points with you: in the first place, the dangers or the obstacles we may meet with. That point is decided. The other is the conditions you intend to impose on me. It is your turn to speak, M. d’Herblay.”
“The conditions, Monseigneur?”
“Doubtless. You will not check me in my course for a trifle, and you will not do me the injustice to suppose that I think you have no interest in this affair. Therefore, without subterfuge or hesitation, tell me the truth.”
“I will do so, Monseigneur. Once a King-”
“When will that be?”
“To-morrow evening- I mean in the night.”
“Explain to me how.”
“When I shall have asked your Highness a question.”
“Do so.”
“I sent to your Highness a man in my confidence, with instructions to deliver some closely written notes, carefully drawn up, which will thoroughly acquaint your Highness with the different persons who compose and will compose your court.”
“I perused all the notes.”
“Attentively?”
“I know them by heart.”
“And understood them? Pardon me, but I may venture to ask that question of a poor, abandoned captive of the Bastille. It will not be a requisite in a week’s time to question further a mind like yours, when you will then be in full possession of liberty and power.”
“Interrogate me, then, and I will be a scholar repeating his lesson to his master.”
“We will begin with your family, Monseigneur.”
“My mother, Anne of Austria?- all her sorrows, her painful malady? Oh, I know her, I know her!”
“Your second brother?” asked Aramis, bowing.
“To these notes,” replied the Prince, “you have added portraits so faithfully painted that I am able to recognize the persons whose characters, manners, and history you have so carefully portrayed. Monsieur, my brother, is a fine, dark young man, with a pale face; he does not love his wife, Henrietta, whom I, Louis XIV, loved a little, and still flirt with, even although she made me weep on the day she wished to dismiss Mademoiselle de la Valliere from her service in disgrace.”