Twenty Years Later by Dumas, Alexandre. Part two

as they deserve, that is to say, like kings.”

The queen had two letters ready, one written by herself, the

other by her daughter, the Princess Henrietta. Both were

addressed to King Charles. She gave the first to Athos and

the other to Aramis, so that should they be separated by

chance they might make themselves known to the king; after

which they withdrew.

At the foot of the staircase De Winter stopped.

“Not to arouse suspicions, gentlemen,” said he, “go your way

and I will go mine, and this evening at nine o’clock we will

assemble again at the Gate Saint Denis. We will travel on

horseback as far as our horses can go and afterward we can

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take the post. Once more, let me thank you, my good friends,

both in my own name and the queen’s.”

The three gentlemen then shook hands, Lord de Winter taking

the Rue Saint Honore, and Athos and Aramis remaining

together.

“Well,” said Aramis, when they were alone, “what do you

think of this business, my dear count?”

“Bad,” replied Athos, “very bad.”

“But you received it with enthusiasm.”

“As I shall ever receive the defense of a great principle,

my dear D’Herblay. Monarchs are only strong by the

assistance of the aristocracy, but aristocracy cannot

survive without the countenance of monarchs. Let us, then,

support monarchy, in order to support ourselves.

“We shall be murdered there,” said Aramis. “I hate the

English — they are coarse, like every nation that swills

beer.”

“Would it be better to remain here,” said Athos, “and take a

turn in the Bastile or the dungeon of Vincennes for having

favored the escape of Monsieur de Beaufort? I’faith, Aramis,

believe me, there is little left to regret. We avoid

imprisonment and we play the part of heroes; the choice is

easy.”

“It is true; but in everything, friend, one must always

return to the same question — a stupid one, I admit, but

very necessary — have you any money?”

“Something like a hundred pistoles, that my farmer sent to

me the day before I left Bragelonne; but out of that sum I

ought to leave fifty for Raoul — a young man must live

respectably. I have then about fifty pistoles. And you?”

“As for me, I am quite sure that after turning out all my

pockets and emptying my drawers I shall not find ten louis

at home. Fortunately Lord de Winter is rich.”

“Lord de Winter is ruined for the moment; Oliver Cromwell

has annexed his income resources.”

“Now is the time when Baron Porthos would be useful.”

“Now it is that I regret D’Artagnan.”

“Let us entice them away.”

“This secret, Aramis, does not belong to us; take my advice,

then, and let no one into our confidence. And moreover, in

taking such a step we should appear to be doubtful of

ourselves. Let us regret their absence to ourselves for our

own sakes, but not speak of it.”

“You are right; but what are you going to do until this

evening? I have two things to postpone.”

“And what are they?”

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Dumas, Alexandre – Twenty Years After

“First, a thrust with the coadjutor, whom I met last night

at Madame de Rambouillet’s and whom I found particular in

his remarks respecting me.”

“Oh, fie — a quarrel between priests, a duel between

allies!”

“What can I do, friend? he is a bully and so am I; his

cassock is a burden to him and I imagine I have had enough

of mine; in fact, there is so much resemblance between us

that I sometimes believe he is Aramis and I am the

coadjutor. This kind of life fatigues and oppresses me;

besides, he is a turbulent fellow, who will ruin our party.

I am convinced that if I gave him a box on the ear, such as

I gave this morning to the little citizen who splashed me,

it would change the appearance of things.”

“And I, my dear Aramis,” quietly replied Athos, “I think it

would only change Monsieur de Retz’s appearance. Take my

advice, leave things just as they are; besides, you are

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