Twenty Years Later. Part two
“But the night is dark,” said Athos, perceiving that Lord de
Winter seemed more uneasy than he wished to appear; “and you
have no servant.”
“I have Tony, a safe if simple youth.”
“Halloo, there, Grimaud, Olivain, and Blaisois! call the
viscount and take the musket with you.”
Blaisois was the tall youth, half groom, half peasant, whom
we saw at the Chateau de Bragelonne, whom Athos had
christened by the name of his province.
“Viscount,” said Athos to Raoul, as he entered, “you will
conduct my lord as far as his hotel and permit no one to
approach him.”
“Oh! count,” said De Winter, “for whom do you take me?”
“For a stranger who does not know Paris,” said Athos, “and
to whom the viscount will show the way.”
De Winter shook him by the hand.
“Grimaud,” said Athos, “put yourself at the head of the
troop and beware of the monk.”
Grimaud shuddered, and nodding, awaited the departure,
regarding the butt of his musket with silent eloquence. Then
obeying the orders given him by Athos, he headed the small
procession, bearing the torch in one hand and the musket in
the other, until it reached De Winter’s inn, when pounding
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on the portal with his fist, he bowed to my lord and faced
about without a word.
The same order was followed in returning, nor did Grimaud’s
searching glance discover anything of a suspicious
appearance, save a dark shadow, as it were, in ambuscade, at
the corner of the Rue Guenegaud and of the Quai. He fancied,
also, that in going he had already observed the street
watcher who had attracted his attention. He pushed on toward
him, but before he could reach it the shadow had disappeared
into an alley, into which Grimaud deemed it scarcely prudent
to pursue it.
The next day, on awaking, the count perceived Raoul by his
bedside. The young man was already dressed and was reading a
new book by M. Chapelain.
“Already up, Raoul?” exclaimed the count.
“Yes, sir,” replied Raoul, with slight hesitation; “I did
not sleep well.”
“You, Raoul, not sleep well! then you must have something on
your mind!” said Athos.
“Sir, you will perhaps think that I am in a great hurry to
leave you when I have only just arrived, but —- ”
“Have you only two days of leave, Raoul?”
“On the contrary, sir, I have ten; nor is it to the camp I
wish to go.”
“Where, then?” said Athos, smiling, “if it be not a secret.
You are now almost a man, since you have made your first
passage of arms, and have acquired the right to go where you
will without consulting me.”
“Never, sir,” said Raoul, “as long as I possess the
happiness of having you for a protector, shall I deem I have
the right of freeing myself from a guardianship so valuable
to me. I have, however, a wish to go and pass a day at
Blois. You look at me and you are going to laugh at me.”
“No, on the contrary, I am not inclined to laugh,” said
Athos, suppressing a sigh. “You wish to see Blois again; it
is but natural.”
“Then you permit me to go, you are not angry in your heart?”
exclaimed Raoul, joyously.
“Certainly; and why should I regret what gives you
pleasure?”
“Oh! how kind you are,” exclaimed the young man, pressing
his guardian’s hand; “and I can set out immediately?”
“When you like, Raoul.”
“Sir,” said Raoul, as he turned to leave the room, “I have
thought of one thing, and that is about the Duchess of
Chevreuse, who was so kind to me and to whom I owe my
introduction to the prince.”
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“And you ought to thank her, Raoul. Well, try the Hotel de
Luynes, Raoul, and ask if the duchess can receive you. I am
glad to see you pay attention to the usages of the world.
You must take Grimaud and Olivain.”
“Both, sir?” asked Raoul, astonished.
“Both.”
Raoul went out, and when Athos heard his young, joyous voice