Raoul and the Comte de la Fere reached Paris the evening of the same dayon which Buckingham had held the conversation with the queen-mother.The count had scarcely arrived, when, through Raoul, he solicited anaudience of the king. His majesty had passed a portion of the morning inlooking over, with Madame and the ladies of the court, various goods ofLyons manufacture, of which he had made his sister-in-law a present. Acourt dinner had succeeded, then cards, and afterwards, according to hisusual custom, the king, leaving the card-tables at eight o'clock, passedinto his cabinet in order to work with M. Colbert and M. Fouquet. Raoulentered the ante-chamber at the very moment the two ministers quittedit, and the king, perceiving him through the half-closed door, said,"What do you want, M. de Bragelonne?"
The young man approached: "An audience, sire," he replied, "for theComte de la Fere, who has just arrived from Blois, and is most anxiousto have an interview with your majesty."
"I have an hour to spare between cards and supper," said the king. "Isthe Comte de la Fere at hand?"
"He is below, and awaits your majesty's permission."
"Let him come up at once," said the king, and five minutes afterwardsAthos entered the presence of Louis XIV. He was received by the kingwith that gracious kindness of manner which Louis, with a tact beyondhis years, reserved for the purpose of gaining those who were not to beconquered by ordinary favors. "Let me hope, comte," said the king, "thatyou have come to ask me for something."
"I will not conceal from your majesty," replied the comte, "that I amindeed come for that purpose."
"That is well," said the king, joyously.
"It is not for myself, sire."
"So much the worse; but, at least, I will do for your protege what yourefuse to permit me to do for you."
"Your majesty encourages me. I have come to speak on behalf of theVicomte de Bragelonne."
"It is the same as if you spoke on your own behalf, comte."
"Not altogether so, sire. I am desirous of obtaining from your majestythat which I cannot ask for myself. The vicomte thinks of marrying."
"He is still very young; but that does not matter. He is an eminentlydistinguished 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 marriage-contract?" Athosbowed. "Has he chosen a wife whose fortune and position accord with yourown anticipations?"
Athos hesitated for a moment. "His affianced wife is of good birth, buthas no fortune."
"That is a misfortune we can remedy."
"You overwhelm me with gratitude, sire; but your majesty will permit meto offer a remark?"
"Do so, comte."
"Your majesty seems to intimate an intention of giving amarriage-portion to this young lady."
"Certainly."
"I should regret, sire, if the step I have taken towards your majestyshould 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 seem to know that name," said the king, as if reflecting; "there wasa Marquis de la Valliere."
"Yes, sire, it is his daughter."
"But he died, and his widow married again M. de Saint-Remy, I think,steward of the wager Madame's former household."
"Your majesty is correctly informed."
"More than that, the young lady has lately become one of the princess'smaids of honor."
"Your majesty is better acquainted with her history than I am."
The king again reflected, and glancing at the comte's anxiouscountenance, said: "The young lady does not seem to me to be verypretty, comte."
"I am not quite sure," replied Athos.
"I have seen her, but she hardly struck me as being so."
"She seems to be a good and modest girl, but has little beauty, sire."
"Beautiful fair hair, however."
"I think so."
"And her blue eyes are tolerably good."
"Yes, sire."
"With regard to beauty, then, the match is but an ordinary one. Now forthe money side of the question."
"Fifteen to twenty thousand francs dowry at the very outside, sire; thelovers are disinterested enough; for myself, I care little for money."
"For superfluity, you mean; but a needful amount is of importance. Withfifteen thousand francs, without landed property, a woman cannot live atcourt. We will make up the deficiency; I will do it for De Bragelonne."The king again remarked the coldness with which Athos received theremark.
"Let us pass from the question of money to that of rank," said LouisXIV.; "the daughter of the Marquis de la Valliere, that is well enough;but there is that excellent Saint-Remy, who somewhat damages the creditof the family; and you, comte, are rather particular, I believe, aboutyour own family."
"Sire, I no longer hold to anything but my devotion to your majesty."
The king again paused. "A moment, comte. You have surprised me in nolittle degree from the beginning of your conversation. You came to askme to authorize a marriage, and you seem greatly disturbed in having tomake the request. Nay, pardon me, comte, but I am rarely deceived,young as I am; for while with some persons I place my friendship at thedisposal of my understanding, with others I call my distrust to my aid,by which my discernment is increased. I repeat that you do not preferyour 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 withMademoiselle de la Valliere, he weaves dreams of bliss for the future;I am not one who is willing to destroy the illusions of youth. Thismarriage is objectionable to me, but I implore your majesty to consentto 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 inMademoiselle de la Valliere's affection; the delight at being at court,the honor of being in the service of Madame, counteract in her headwhatever affection she may happen to have in her heart; it is a marriagesimilar to many others which already exist at court; but De Bragelonnewishes it, and so let it be."
"And yet you do not resemble those easy-tempered fathers who volunteeras stepping-stones for their children," said the king.
"I am determined enough against the viciously disposed, but not soagainst men of upright character. Raoul is suffering; he is in greatdistress of mind: his disposition, naturally light and cheerful, hasbecome gloomy and melancholy. I do not wish to deprive your majesty ofthe services he may be able to render."
"I understand you," said the king; "and what is more, I understand yourheart, too, comte."
"There is no occasion, therefore," replied the comte, "to tell yourmajesty that my object is to make these children, or rather Raoul,happy."
"And I, too, as much as yourself, comte, wish to secure M. deBragelonne's happiness."
"I only await your majesty's signature. Raoul will have the honor ofpresenting himself before your majesty to receive your consent."
"You are mistaken, comte," said the king, firmly; "I have just said thatI desire to secure M. de Bragelonne's happiness, and from the presentmoment, therefore, I oppose his marriage."
"But, sire," exclaimed Athos, "your majesty has promised!"
"Not so, comte, I did not promise you, for it is opposed to my ownviews."
"I appreciate your majesty's considerate and generous intentions in mybehalf; but I take the liberty of recalling to you that I undertook toapproach you as an ambassador."
"An ambassador, comte, frequently asks, but does not always obtain whathe asks."
"But, sire, it will be such a blow for De Bragelonne."
"My hand shall deal the blow; I will speak to the vicomte."
"Love, sir, is overwhelming in its might."
"Love can be resisted, comte. I myself can assure you of th
at."
"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 forDe Bragelonne. I do not say that he shall not marry Mademoiselle de laValliere, but I do not wish him to marry so young; I do not wish him tomarry her until she has acquired a fortune; and he, on his side, no lessdeserves favor, such as I wish to confer upon him. In a word, comte, Iwish them to wait."
"Yet once more, sire."
"Comte, you told me you came to request a favor."
"Assuredly, sire."
"Grant me one, then, instead; let us speak no longer upon this matter.It is probable that, before long, war may be declared. I require menabout me who are unfettered. I should hesitate to send under fire amarried man, or a father of a family. I should hesitate also, on DeBragelonne's account, to endow with a fortune, without some sound reasonfor it, a young girl, a perfect stranger; such an act would sow jealousyamongst 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 vicomte that at mylevee to-morrow morning I will speak to him. I shall expect you thisevening, comte, to join my card-table."
"I am in traveling-costume, sire."
"A day will come, I hope, when you will leave me no more. Before long,comte, the monarchy will be established in such a manner as to enable meto offer a worthy hospitality to men of your merit."
"Provided, sire, a monarch reigns grandly in the hearts of his subjects,the palace he inhabits matters little, since he is worshipped ina temple." With these words Athos left the cabinet, and found DeBragelonne, who was awaiting him anxiously.
"Well, monsieur?" said the young man.
"The king, Raoul, is well intentioned towards us both; not, perhaps, inthe sense you suppose, but he is kind, and generously disposed to ourhouse."
"You have bad news to communicate to me, monsieur," said the young man,turning very pale.
"The king himself will inform you tomorrow morning that it is not badnews."
"The king has not signed, however?"
"The king wishes himself to settle the terms of the contract, and hedesires to make it so grand that he requires time for consideration.Throw the blame rather on your own impatience, than on the king's goodfeeling towards you."
Raoul, in utter consternation, on account of his knowledge of thecount's frankness as well as his diplomacy, remained plunged in dull andgloomy stupor.
"Will you not go with me to my lodgings?" said Athos.
"I beg your pardon, monsieur; I will follow you," he stammered out,following Athos down the staircase.
"Since I am here," said Athos, suddenly, "cannot I see M. d'Artagnan?"
"Shall I show you his apartments?" said De Bragelonne.
"Do so."
"They are on the opposite staircase."
They altered their course, but on reaching the landing of the grandstaircase, 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 youwithout delay; I have been looking for you for the last half-hour."
Raoul approached Athos as he unsealed the letter, saying, "With yourpermission, monsieur."
"Certainly."
"Dear Raoul," wrote the Comte de Guiche, "I have an affair in hand whichrequires immediate attention; I know you have returned, come to me assoon as possible."
Hardly had he finished reading it, when a servant in the livery of theDuke of Buckingham, turning out of the gallery, recognized Raoul, andapproached him respectfully, saying, "From his Grace, monsieur."
"Well, Raoul, as I see you are already as busy as a general of an army,I shall leave you, and will find M. d'Artagnan myself."
"You will excuse me, I trust," said Raoul.
"Yes, yes, I excuse you; adieu, Raoul; you will find me at my apartmentsuntil to-morrow; during the day I may set out for Blois, unless I haveorders to the contrary."
"I shall present my respects to you to-morrow, monsieur."
As soon as Athos had left, Raoul opened Buckingham's letter.