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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Dumas, Alexandre – Ten Years Later
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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