Ten Years Later by Dumas, Alexandre. Part one

some time at Newcastle, particularly in the convent, the

gardens of which are now occupied by your army.”

“Excuse me, monsieur, but you must comprehend that these

questions are necessary on my part — do you not?”

“It would astonish me, my lord, if they were not asked.”

“Now, then, monsieur, what can I do to serve you? What do

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you wish?”

“This, my lord; — but, in the first place, are we alone?”

“Perfectly so, monsieur, except, of course, the post which

guards us.” So saying, Monk pulled open the canvas with his

hand, and pointed to the soldier placed at ten paces from

the tent, and who, at the first call could have rendered

assistance in a second.

“In that case my lord,” said the gentleman, in as calm a

tone as if he had been for a length of time in habits of

intimacy with his interlocutor, I have made up my mind to

address myself to you, because I believe you to be an honest

man. Indeed, the communication I am about to make to you

will prove to you the esteem in which I hold you.”

Monk, astonished at this language, which established between

him and the French gentleman equality at least, raised his

piercing eye to the stranger’s face, and with a sensible

irony conveyed by the inflection of his voice alone, for not

a muscle of his face moved, — “I thank you, monsieur,” said

he; “but, in the first place, to whom have I the honor of

speaking?”

“I sent you my name by your sergeant, my lord.”

“Excuse him, monsieur, he is a Scotchman, — he could not

retain it.”

“I am called the Comte de la Fere, monsieur,” said Athos,

bowing.

“The Comte de la Fere?” said Monk, endeavoring to recollect

the name. “Pardon me, monsieur, but this appears to be the

first time I have ever heard that name. Do you fill any post

at the court of France?”

“None; I am a simple gentleman.”

“What dignity?”

“King Charles I. made me a knight of the Garter, and Queen

Anne of Austria has given me the cordon of the Holy Ghost.

These are my only dignities.”

“The Garter! the Holy Ghost! Are you a knight of those two

orders, monsieur?”

“Yes.”

“And on what occasions have such favors been bestowed upon

you?”

“For services rendered to their majesties.”

Monk looked with astonishment at this man, who appeared to

him so simple and so great at the same time. Then, as if he

had renounced endeavoring to penetrate this mystery of a

simplicity and grandeur upon which the stranger did not seem

disposed to give him any other information than that which

he had already received, — “Did you present yourself

yesterday at our advanced posts?”

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Dumas, Alexandre – Ten Years Later

“And was sent back? Yes, my lord.”

“Many officers, monsieur, would permit no one to enter their

camp, particularly on the eve of a probable battle. But I

differ from my colleagues, and like to leave nothing behind

me. Every advice is good to me; all danger is sent to me by

God, and I weigh it in my hand with the energy He has given

me. So, yesterday, you were only sent back on account of the

council I was holding. To-day I am at liberty, — speak.”

“My lord, you have done much better in receiving me, for

what I have to say has nothing to do with the battle you are

about to fight with General Lambert, or with your camp; and

the proof is, that I turned away my head that I might not

see your men, and closed my eyes that I might not count your

tents. No, I come to speak to you, my lord, on my own

account.”

“Speak, then, monsieur,” said Monk.

“Just now ” continued Athos, “I had the honor of telling

your lordship that for a long time I lived in Newcastle; it

was in the time of Charles I., and when the king was given

up to Cromwell by the Scots.”

“I know,” said Monk, coldly.

“I had at that time a large sum in gold, and on the eve of

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