“But, sire,” exclaimed Athos, “your majesty has promised!”
“Not so, comte, I did not promise you, for it is opposed to
my own views.”
“I appreciate your majesty’s considerate and generous
intentions in my behalf; but I take the liberty of recalling
to you that I undertook to approach you as an ambassador.”
“An ambassador, comte, frequently asks, but does not always
Page 557
Dumas, Alexandre – Ten Years Later
obtain what he asks.”
“But, sire, it will be such a blow for De Bragelonne.”
“My hand shall deal the blow; I will speak to the vicomte.”
“Love, sir, is overwhelming in its might.”
“Love can be resisted, comte. I myself can assure you of
that.”
“When one has the soul of a king, — your own, for instance,
sire.”
“Do not make yourself uneasy on the subject. I have certain
views for De Bragelonne. I do not say that he shall not
marry Mademoiselle de la Valliere, but I do not wish him to
marry so young; I do not wish him to marry her until she has
acquired a fortune; and he, on his side, no less deserves
favor, such as I wish to confer upon him. In a word, comte,
I wish them to wait.”
“Yet once more, sire.”
“Comte, you told me you came to request a favor.”
“Assuredly, sire.”
“Grant me one, then, instead; let us speak no longer upon
this matter. It is probable that, before long, war may be
declared. I require men about me who are unfettered. I
should hesitate to send under fire a married man, or a
father of a family. I should hesitate also, on De
Bragelonne’s account, to endow with a fortune, without some
sound reason for it, a young girl, a perfect stranger; such
an act would sow jealousy amongst my nobility.” Athos bowed,
and remained silent.
“Is that all you wished to ask me?” added Louis XIV.
“Absolutely all, sire; and I take my leave of your majesty.
Is it, however, necessary that I should inform Raoul?”
“Spare yourself the trouble and annoyance. Tell the vicomte
that at my levee to-morrow morning I will speak to him. I
shall expect you this evening, comte, to join my
card-table.”
“I am in traveling-costume, sire.”
“A day will come, I hope, when you will leave me no more.
Before long, comte, the monarchy will be established in such
a manner as to enable me to offer a worthy hospitality to
men of your merit.”
“Provided, sire, a monarch reigns grandly in the hearts of
his subjects, the palace he inhabits matters little, since
he is worshipped in a temple.” With these words Athos left
the cabinet, and found De Bragelonne, who was awaiting him
anxiously.
“Well, monsieur?” said the young man.
“The king, Raoul, is well intentioned towards us both; not,
Page 558
Dumas, Alexandre – Ten Years Later
perhaps, in the sense you suppose, but he is kind, and
generously disposed to our house.”
“You have bad news to communicate to me, monsieur,” said the
young man, turning very pale.
“The king himself will inform you tomorrow morning that it
is not bad news.”
“The king has not signed, however?”
“The king wishes himself to settle the terms of the
contract, and he desires to make it so grand that he
requires time for consideration. Throw the blame rather on
your own impatience, than on the king’s good feeling towards
you.”
Raoul, in utter consternation, on account of his knowledge
of the count’s frankness as well as his diplomacy, remained
plunged in dull and gloomy stupor.
“Will you not go with me to my lodgings?” said Athos.
“I beg your pardon, monsieur; I will follow you,” he
stammered out, following Athos down the staircase.
“Since I am here,” said Athos, suddenly, “cannot I see M.
d’Artagnan?”
“Shall I show you his apartments?” said De Bragelonne.
“Do so.”
“They are on the opposite staircase.”
They altered their course, but on reaching the landing of
the grand staircase, Raoul perceived a servant in the Comte
de Guiche’s livery, who ran towards him as soon as he heard
his voice.
“What is it?” said Raoul.
“This note, monsieur. My master heard of your return and