Ten Years Later by Dumas, Alexandre. Part one

and if I have understood you, you will take my first words

in ill part. You will be displeased, no doubt, monsieur le

comte, because I have seen —- ”

“Mademoiselle de la Valliere — have you not?”

“It was of her you meant to speak, I know very well,

monsieur,” said Raoul, with inexpressible sweetness.

“And I asked you if you have seen her.”

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Dumas, Alexandre – Ten Years Later

“Monsieur, I was ignorant, when I entered the castle, that

Mademoiselle de la Valliere was there; it was only on my

return, after I had performed my mission, that chance

brought us together. I have had the honor of paying my

respects to her.”

“But what do you call the chance that led you into the

presence of Mademoiselle de la Valliere?”

“Mademoiselle de Montalais, monsieur.”

“And who is Mademoiselle de Montalais?”

“A young lady I did not know before, whom I had never seen.

She is maid of honor to Madame.”

“Monsieur le vicomte, I will push my interrogatory no

further, and reproach myself with having carried it so far.

I had desired you to avoid Mademoiselle de la Valliere, and

not to see her without my permission. Oh, I am quite sure

you have told me the truth, and that you took no measures to

approach her. Chance has done me this injury; I do not

accuse you of it. I will be content then, with what I

formerly said to you concerning this young lady. I do not

reproach her with anything — God is my witness! only it is

not my intention or wish that you should frequent her place

of residence. I beg you once more, my dear Raoul, to

understand that.”

It was plain the limpid eyes of Raoul were troubled at this

speech.

“Now, my friend,” said the comte, with his soft smile, and

in his customary tone, “let us talk of other matters. You

are returning, perhaps, to your duty?”

“No, monsieur, I have no duty for to-day, except the

pleasure of remaining with you. The prince kindly appointed

me no other: which was so much in accord with my wish.”

“Is the king well?”

“Perfectly.”

“And monsieur le prince also?”

“As usual, monsieur.”

The comte forgot to inquire after Mazarin; that was an old

habit.

“Well, Raoul, since you are entirely mine, I will give up my

whole day to you. Embrace me — again, again! You are at

home, vicomte! Ah, there is our old Grimaud! Come in,

Grimaud: monsieur le vicomte is desirous of embracing you

likewise.”

The good old man did not require to be twice told; he rushed

in with open arms, Raoul meeting him halfway.

“Now, if you please, we will go into the garden, Raoul. I

will show you the new lodging I have had prepared for you

during your leave of absence, and whilst examining the last

winter’s plantations and two saddle-horses I have just

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Dumas, Alexandre – Ten Years Later

acquired, you will give me all the news of our friends in

Paris.”

The comte closed his manuscript, took the young man’s arm,

and went out into the garden with him.

Grimaud looked at Raoul with a melancholy air as the young

man passed out; observing that his head nearly touched the

traverse of the doorway, stroking his white royale, he

slowly murmured:

“How he has grown!”

CHAPTER 5

In which Something will be said of Cropoli

–of Cropoli and of a Great Unknown Painter.

Whilst the Comte de la Fere with Raoul visits the new

buildings he has had erected, and the new horses he has

bought, with the reader’s permission we will lead him back

to the city of Blois, and make him a witness of the

unaccustomed activity which pervades that city.

It was in the hotels that the surprise of the news brought

by Raoul was most sensibly felt.

In fact, the king and the court at Blois, that is to say, a

hundred horsemen, ten carriages, two hundred horses, as many

lackeys as masters — where was this crowd to be housed?

Where were to be lodged all the gentry of the neighborhood,

who would gather in two or three hours after the news had

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