Blois. You do not answer me, Louise. Is it possible,” he
inquired, breathing with difficulty, “that you no longer
love me?”
“I did not say so,” replied Louise, softly.
Page 535
Dumas, Alexandre – Ten Years Later
“Oh! tell me the truth, I implore you. All my hopes in life
are centered in you. I chose you for your gentle and simple
tastes. Do not suffer yourself to be dazzled, Louise, now
that you are in the midst of a court where all that is pure
too soon becomes corrupt — where all that is young too soon
grows old. Louise, close your ears, so as not to hear what
may be said; shut your eyes, so as not to see the examples
before you; shut your lips, that you may not inhale the
corrupting influences about you. Without falsehood or
subterfuge, Louise, am I to believe what Mademoiselle de
Montalais stated? Louise, did you come to Paris because I
was no longer at Blois?”
La Valliere blushed and concealed her face in her hands.
“Yes, it was so, then!” exclaimed Raoul, delightedly; “that
was, then, your reason for coming here. I love you as I
never yet loved you. Thanks, Louise, for this devotion; but
measures must be taken to place you beyond all insult, to
shield you from every lure. Louise, a maid of honor in the
court of a young princess in these days of free manners and
inconstant affections —a maid of honor is placed as an
object of attack without having any means of defence
afforded her; this state of things cannot continue, you must
be married in order to be respected.”
“Married?”
“Yes, here is my hand, Louise; will you place yours within
it?”
“But your father?”
“My father leaves me perfectly free.”
“Yet —- ”
“I understand your scruples, Louise; I will consult my
father.”
“Reflect, M. Raoul; wait.”
“Wait! it is impossible. Reflect, Louise, when you are
concerned! it would be insulting, — give me your hand, dear
Louise; I am my own master. My father will consent, I know;
give me your hand, do not keep me waiting thus. One word in
answer, one word only; if not, I shall begin to think that,
in order to change you forever, nothing more was needed than
a single step in the palace, a single breath of favor, a
smile from the queen, a look from the king.”
Raoul had no sooner pronounced this latter word, than La
Valliere became as pale as death, no doubt from fear at
seeing the young man excite himself. With a movement as
rapid as thought, she placed both her hands in those of
Raoul, and then fled without adding a syllable; disappearing
without casting a look behind her. Raoul felt his whole
frame tremble at the contact of her hand; he received the
compact as a solemn bargain wrung by affection from her
child-like timidity.
Page 536
Dumas, Alexandre – Ten Years Later
CHAPTER 90
The Consent of Athos
Raoul quitted the Palais-Royal full of ideas that admitted
no delay in execution. He mounted his horse in the
courtyard, and followed the road to Blois, while the
marriage festivities of Monsieur and the princess of England
were being celebrated with exceeding animation by the
courtiers, but to the despair of De Guiche and Buckingham.
Raoul lost no time on the road, and in sixteen hours he
arrived at Blois. As he traveled along, he marshaled his
arguments in the most becoming manner. Fever also is an
argument that cannot be answered, and Raoul had an attack.
Athos was in his study, making additions to his memoirs,
when Raoul entered, accompanied by Grimaud. Keen-sighted and
penetrating, a mere glance at his son told him that
something extraordinary had befallen him.
“You seem to come on a matter of importance,” said he to
Raoul, after he had embraced him, pointing to a seat.
“Yes, monsieur,” replied the young man; “and I entreat you
to give me the same kind attention that has never yet failed
me.”
“Speak, Raoul.”
“I present the case to you, monsieur, free from all preface,
for that would be unworthy of you. Mademoiselle de la