Part 17 (1/2)
”So e what you refuse to peres elonne”
”It is the same as if you spoke on your own behalf, coether so, sire I a from your majesty that which I cannot ask for ”
”He is still very young; but that does not uished man; I will choose a wife for him”
”He has already chosen one, sire, and only awaits your consent”
”It is only a question, then, of signing the e-contract?” Athos bowed ”Has he chose a hose fortune and position accord with your own anticipation?”
Athos hesitated for a ood birth, but has no fortune”
”That is a ratitude, sire; but your majesty will permit me to offer a remark?”
”Do so, coiving alady”
”Certainly”
”I should regret, sire, if the step I have taken towards your majesty should be attended by this result”
”No false delicacy, comte; what is the bride's name?”
”Mademoiselle de la Baume le Blanc de la Valliere,” said Athos, coldly
”I see; ”there was a Marquis de la Valliere”
”Yes, sire, it is his daughter”
”But he died, and hiser Madame's household”
”Your majesty is correctly infor lady has lately become one of the princess's maids of honor”
”Your majesty is better acquainted with her history than a at the co lady does not seem to me to be very pretty, comte”
”I am not quite sure,” replied Athos
”I have seen her, but she hardly struck irl, but has little beauty, sire”
”Beautiful fair hair, however”
”I think so”
”And her blue eyes are tolerably good”
”Yes, sire”
”With regard to her beauty, then, the match is but an ordinary one Now for the money side of the question”
”Fifteen to twenty thousand francs dowry at the very outset, sire; the lovers are disinterested enough; for myself, I care little for money”
”For superfluity, you mean; but a needful amount is of importance With fifteen thousand francs, without landed property, a woman cannot live at court We will elonne” The king again remarked the coldness hich Athos received the remark
”Let us pass from the question of hter of the Marquis de la Valliere, that is well enough; but there is that excellent Saint-Rees the credit of the family; and you, comte, are rather particular, I believe, about your own fa but ain paused ”A ree fro of your conversation You careatly disturbed in having to make the request Nay, pardonas I am; for while with some persons I place , with others I call my distrust to my aid, by which my discernment is increased I repeat, that you do not prefer your request as though you wished it success”
”Well, sire, that is true”
”I do not understand you, then; refuse”
”Nay, sire; I love De Bragelonne with my whole heart; he is smitten with Mademoiselle de la Valliere, he weaves drea to destroy the illusions of youth This e is objectionable to me, but I implore your majesty to consent to it forthwith, and thus make Raoul happy”
”Tell me, comte, is she in love with him?”
”If your majesty requires me to speak candidly, I do not believe in Made at court, the honor of being in the service of Madame, counteract in her head whatever affection she e sielonne wishes it, and so let it be”
”And yet you do not rese-stones for their children,” said the king
”I aainst the viciously disposed, but not so against reat distress of ht and cheerful, has becoloomy and melancholy I do not wish to deprive your majesty of the services he may be able to render”
”I understand you,” said the king; ”and what is more, I understand your heart, too, comte”
”There is no occasion, therefore,” replied the comte, ”to tell your majesty that my object is to make these children, or rather Raoul, happy”
”And I, too, as elonne's happiness”
”I only await yourhimself before your majesty to receive your consent”
”You are , firelonne's happiness, and froe”