Twenty Years Later by Dumas, Alexandre. Part two

expected title, “take notice that one of the three men who

just now went out from here told me privately to distrust

these gentlemen.”

“And I,” said Planchet, with dignity, “I know them and I

answer for them.”

As he said this, he pressed Grimaud’s hand, who seemed

honored by the distinction.

“Farewell till we meet again,” said Aramis, as they took

leave of Planchet; “if anything happens to us we shall blame

you for it.”

“Sir,” said Planchet, “I am in all things at your service.”

“That fellow is no fool,” said Aramis, as he got on his

horse.

“How should he be?” replied Athos, whilst mounting also,

“seeing he was used so long to brush your hats.”

76

The Ambassadors.

Page 518

Dumas, Alexandre – Twenty Years After

The two friends rode rapidly down the declivity of the

Faubourg, but on arriving at the bottom were surprised to

find that the streets of Paris had become rivers, and the

open places lakes; after the great rains which fell in

January the Seine had overflowed its banks and the river

inundated half the capital. The two gentlemen were obliged,

therefore, to get off their horses and take a boat; and in

that strange manner they approached the Louvre.

Night had closed in, and Paris, seen thus, by the light of

lanterns flickering on the pools of water, crowded with

ferry-boats of every kind, including those that glittered

with the armed patrols, with the watchword, passing from

post to post — Paris presented such an aspect as to

strongly seize the senses of Aramis, a man most susceptible

to warlike impressions.

They reached the queen’s apartments, but were compelled to

stop in the ante-chamber, since her majesty was at that

moment giving audience to gentlemen bringing her news from

England.

“We, too,” said Athos, to the footman who had given him that

answer, “not only bring news from England, but have just

come from there.”

“What? then, are your names, gentlemen?”

“The Comte de la Fere and the Chevalier d’Herblay,” said

Aramis.

“Ah! in that case, gentlemen,” said the footman, on hearing

the names which the queen had so often pronounced with hope,

“in that case it is another thing, and I think her majesty

will pardon me for not keeping you here a moment. Please

follow me,” and he went on before, followed by Athos and

Aramis.

On arriving at the door of the room where the queen was

receiving he made a sign for them to wait and opening the

door:

“Madame,” he said, “I hope your majesty will forgive me for

disobeying your orders, when you learn that the gentlemen I

have come to announce are the Comte de la Fere and the

Chevalier d’Herblay.”

On hearing those two names the queen uttered a cry of joy,

which the two gentlemen heard.

“Poor queen!” murmured Athos.

“Oh, let them come in! let them come in,” cried the young

princess, bounding to the door.

The poor child was constant in her attendance on her mother

and sought by her filial attentions to make her forget the

absence of her two sons and her other daughter.

“Come in, gentlemen,” repeated the princess, opening the

door herself.

The queen was seated on a fauteuil and before her were

Page 519

Dumas, Alexandre – Twenty Years After

standing two or three gentlemen, and among them the Duc de

Chatillon, the brother of the nobleman killed eight or nine

years previously in a duel on account of Madame de

Longueville, on the Place Royale. All these gentlemen had

been noticed by Athos and Aramis in the guardhouse, and when

the two friends were announced they started and exchanged

some words in a low tone. “Well, sirs!” cried the queen, on

perceiving the two friends, “you have come, faithful

friends! But the royal couriers have been more expeditious

than you, and here are Monsieur de Flamarens and Monsieur de

Chatillon, who bring me from Her Majesty the Queen Anne of

Austria, the very latest intelligence.”

Aramis and Athos were astounded by the calmness, even the

gayety of the queen’s manner.

“Go on with your recital, sirs,” said the queen, turning to

the Duc de Chatillon. “You said that His Majesty, King

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