“I don’t think I am mistaken,” said Porthos, with dignity; “but it appears evident to me that if they want to find us, they must come and seek us here.”
“In that you are perfectly right, my worthy friend,” replied Aramis, constantly consulting with his looks the countenance of Biscarrat, who was silent and constrained. “You wish, M. de Biscarrat, to say something to us, to make us some overture, and you dare not,- is not that true?”
“Ah, gentlemen and friends! it is because in speaking I betray my duty. But, hark! I hear a voice which liberates mine by dominating over it.”
“Cannon?” said Porthos.
“Cannon and musketry too!” cried the bishop.
On hearing at a distance among the rocks these sinister reports of a combat which they thought had ceased, “What can that be?” asked Porthos.
“Eh, pardieu!” cried Aramis; “this is just what I expected.”
“What is that?”
“The attack made by you was nothing but a feint,- is not that true, Monsieur? And while your companions allowed themselves to be repulsed, you were certain of effecting a landing on the other side of the island.”
“Oh! several, Monsieur.”
“We are lost, then,” said the Bishop of Vannes, quietly.
“Lost! that is possible,” replied the Seigneur de Pierrefonds; “but we are not taken or hung.” And so saying, he rose from the table, went straight to the wall, and coolly took down his sword and pistols, which he examined with the care of an old soldier who is preparing for battle, and who feels that his life in a great measure depends upon the excellence and the good condition of his arms.
At the report of the cannon, at the news of the surprise which might deliver up the isle to the royal troops, the terrified crowd rushed precipitately to the fort to demand assistance and advice from their leaders. Aramis, pale and downcast, between two torches, showed himself at the window which looked into the principal court full of soldiers waiting for orders and bewildered inhabitants imploring succor.
“My friends,” said d’Herblay, in a grave and sonorous voice, “M. Fouquet, your protector, your friend, your father, has been arrested by an order of the King and thrown into the Bastille.” A long cry of fury and menace came floating up to the window at which the bishop stood, and enveloped him in a vibrating fluid.
“Avenge M. Fouquet!” cried the most excited of his hearers, “and death to the Royalists!”
“No, my friends,” replied Aramis, solemnly,- “no, my friends; no resistance. The King is master in his kingdom. The King is the mandatory of God. The King and God have struck M. Fouquet. Humble yourselves before the hand of God. Love God and the King, who have struck M. Fouquet. But do not avenge your seigneur; do not think of avenging him. You would sacrifice yourselves in vain,- you, your wives and children, your property, and your liberty. Lay down your arms, my friends; lay down your arms,- since the King commands you so to do,- and retire peaceably to your dwellings. It is I who ask you to do so; it is I who beg you to do so; it is I who now, in the hour of need, command you to do so in the name of M. Fouquet.”
The crowd collected under the window uttered a prolonged growl of anger and terror. “The soldiers of Louis XIV have entered the island,” continued Aramis. “From this time it would no longer be a combat between them and you,- it would be a massacre. Go, then; go and forget. This time I command you in the name of the Lord.”
The mutineers retired slowly, submissive and silent.
“Ah! what have you just been saying there, my friend?” said Porthos.
“Monsieur,” said Biscarrat to the bishop, “you may save all these inhabitants, but you will neither save yourself nor your friend.”
“M. de Biscarrat,” said the Bishop of Vannes, with a singular accent of nobleness and courtesy,- “M. de Biscarrat, be kind enough to resume your liberty.”
“I am very willing to do so, Monsieur, but-”
“That would render us a service, for when announcing to the King’s lieutenant the submission of the islanders, you will perhaps obtain some grace for us on informing him of the manner in which that submission has been effected.”