Part 17 (2/2)
”But, sire,” exclaimed Athos, ”your majesty has promised!”
”Not so, comte, I did not promise you, for it is opposed to my own views”
”I appreciate your enerous intentions onto you that I undertook to approach you as an ambassador”
”An ambassador, comte, frequently asks, but does not always obtain what he asks”
”But, sire, it will be such a blow for De Bragelonne”
”My hand shall deal the bloill speak to the vicoht”
”Love can be resisted, comte I myself can assure you of that”
”When one has the soul of a king,-your own, for instance, sire”
”Do not make yourself uneasy on the subject I have certain views for De Bragelonne I do not say that he shall not marry Mademoiselle de la Valliere, but I do not wish hi; I do not wish him to marry her until she has acquired a fortune; and he, on his side, no less deserves favor, such as I wish to confer upon him In a word, comte, I wish them to wait”
”Yet once more, sire”
”Comte, you told me you came here to request a favor”
”assuredly, sire”
”Grant er upon this , war may be declared I require men about me who are unfettered I should hesitate to send under fire a married man, or a father of a faelonne's account, to endoith a fortune, without soer; such an act would sow jealousy ast my nobility” Athos bowed, and remained silent
”Is that all you wished to ask me?” added Louis XIV
”Absolutely all, sire; and I take my leave of your majesty Is it, however, necessary that I should inform Raoul?”
”Spare yourself the trouble and annoyance Tell the vico I will speak to hi, co-costume, sire”
”A day will co, comte, the monarchy will be established in such a manner as to enable me to offer a worthy hospitality to randly in the hearts of his subjects, the palace he inhabits matters little, since he is worshi+pped in a temple” With these words Athos left the cabinet, and found De Bragelonne, aiting hi , Raoul, is well intentioned towards us both; not, perhaps, in the sense you suppose, but he is kind, and generously disposed to our house”
”You have bad news to co very pale
”The king hi that it is not bad news”
”The king has not signed, however?”
”The king wishes himself to settle the terrand that he requires time for consideration Throw the blaood feelings towards you”
Raoul, in utter consternation, on account of his knowledge of the count's frankness as well as his diploloos?” said Athos
”I beg your pardon,Athos down the staircase
”Since I anan?”
”Shall I show you his apartelonne
”Do so”
”They are on the opposite staircase”
They altered their course, but on reaching the landing of the grand staircase, Raoul perceived a servant in the Comte de Guiche's livery, who ran towards him as soon as he heard his voice
”What is it?” said Raoul
”This note, monsieur My master heard of your return and wrote to you without delay; I have been looking for you for the last half-hour”
Raoul approached Athos as he unsealed the letter, saying, ”With your permission, monsieur”
”Certainly”
”Dear Raoul,” wrote the Comte de Guiche, ”I have an affair in hand which requires immediate attention; I know you have returned; come toit, when a servant in the livery of the Duke of Buckinghanized Raoul, and approached hi, ”From his Grace, monsieur”
”Well, Raoul, as I see you are already as busy as a general of an arnan myself”
”You will excuse me, I trust,” said Raoul
”Yes, yes, I excuse you; adieu, Raoul; you will findthe day I may set out for Blois, unless I have orders to the contrary”
”I shall present my respects to you to-morrow, monsieur”
As soon as Athos had left, Raoul opened Buckinghaelonne,” it ran, ”You are, of all the Frenchmen I have known, the one hom I am most pleased; I am about to put your friendshi+p to the proof I have received a certain lish it very clearly The letter has a good name attached to it, and that is all I can tell you Will you be good enough to come and see me? for I am told you have arrived froha now to see your master,” said Raoul to De Guiche's servant, as he disha with these words the duke's er