Come and see my new plantations, Raoul.”
The young man knew very well, that, after the expression of
his father’s wish, no opportunity of discussion was left
him. He bowed his head, and followed his father into the
garden. Athos slowly pointed out to him the grafts, the
cuttings, and the avenues he was planting. This perfect
repose of manner disconcerted Raoul extremely; the affection
with which his own heart was filled seemed so great that the
whole world could hardly contain it. How, then, could his
father’s heart remain void, and closed to its influence?
Bragelonne, therefore, collecting all his courage, suddenly
exclaimed, —-
“It is impossible, monsieur, you can have any reason to
reject Mademoiselle de la Valliere? In Heaven’s name, she is
so good, so gentle and pure, that your mind, so perfect in
its penetration, ought to appreciate her accordingly. Does
any secret repugnance, or any hereditary dislike, exist
between you and her family?”
“Look, Raoul, at that beautiful lily of the valley,” said
Athos; “observe how the shade and the damp situation suit
it, particularly the shadow which that sycamore-tree casts
over it, so that the warmth, and not the blazing heat of the
sun, filters through its leaves.”
Raoul stopped, bit his lips, and then with the blood
mantling in his face, he said, courageously, — “One word of
explanation, I beg, monsieur. You cannot forget that your
son is a man.”
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Dumas, Alexandre – Ten Years Later
“In that case,” replied Athos, drawing himself up with
sternness, “prove to me that you are a man, for you do not
show yourself a son. I begged you to wait the opportunity of
forming an illustrious alliance. I would have obtained a
wife for you from the first ranks of the rich nobility. I
wish you to be distinguished by the splendor which glory and
fortune confer, for nobility of descent you have already.”
“Monsieur,” exclaimed Raoul, carried away by a first
impulse, “I was reproached the other day for not knowing who
my mother was.”
Athos turned pale; then, knitting his brows like the
greatest of all the heathen deities: — “I am waiting to
learn the reply you made,” he demanded, in an imperious
manner.
“Forgive me! oh, forgive me,” murmured the young man,
sinking at once from the lofty tone he had assumed.
“What was your reply, monsieur?” inquired the count,
stamping his feet upon the ground.
“Monsieur, my sword was in my hand immediately, my adversary
placed himself on guard, I struck his sword over the
palisade, and threw him after it.”
“Why did you suffer him to live?”
“The king has prohibited duelling, and, at that moment, I
was an ambassador of the king.”
“Very well,” said Athos, “but all the greater reason I
should see his majesty.”
“What do you intend to ask him?”
“Authority to draw my sword against the man who has
inflicted this injury upon me.”
“If I did not act as I ought to have done, I beg you to
forgive me.”
“Did I reproach you, Raoul?”
“Still, the permission you are going to ask from the king?”
“I will implore his majesty to sign your marriage-contract,
but on one condition.”
“Are conditions necessary with me, monsieur? Command, and
you shall be obeyed.”
“On one condition, I repeat,” continued Athos; “that you
tell me the name of the man who spoke of your mother in that
way.”
“What need is there that you should know his name; the
offense was directed against myself, and the permission once
obtained from his majesty, to revenge it is my affair.”
“Tell me his name, monsieur.”
“I will not allow you to expose yourself.
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Dumas, Alexandre – Ten Years Later
“Do you take me for a Don Diego? His name, I say.”
“You insist upon it?”
“I demand it.”
“The Vicomte de Wardes.”
“Very well,” said Athos, tranquilly, “I know him. But our
horses are ready, I see; and, instead of delaying our
departure for a couple of hours, we will set off at once.
Come, monsieur.”
CHAPTER 91
Monsieur becomes jealous of the Duke of Buckingha
While the Comte de la Fere was proceeding on his way to