Ten Years Later

by Alexandre Dumas

  Raoul quitted the Palais-Royal full of ideas that admitted no delay inexecution. He mounted his horse in the courtyard, and followed the roadto Blois, while the marriage festivities of Monsieur and the princess ofEngland were being celebrated with exceeding animation by the courtiers,but to the despair of De Guiche and Buckingham. Raoul lost no timeon the road, and in sixteen hours he arrived at Blois. As he traveledalong, he marshaled his arguments in the most becoming manner. Feveralso is an argument that cannot be answered, and Raoul had an attack.Athos was in his study, making additions to his memoirs, when Raoulentered, accompanied by Grimaud. Keen-sighted and penetrating, a mereglance at his son told him that something extraordinary had befallenhim.

  "You seem to come on a matter of importance," said he to Raoul, after hehad embraced him, pointing to a seat.

  "Yes, monsieur," replied the young man; "and I entreat you to give methe same kind attention that has never yet failed me."

  "Speak, Raoul."

  "I present the case to you, monsieur, free from all preface, for thatwould be unworthy of you. Mademoiselle de la Valliere is in Paris as oneof Madame's maids of honor. I have pondered deeply on the matter; I loveMademoiselle de la Valliere above everything; and it is not proper toleave her in a position where her reputation, her virtue even, may beassailed. It is my wish, therefore, to marry her, monsieur, and I havecome to solicit your consent to my marriage."

  While this communication was being made to him, Athos maintained theprofoundest silence and reserve. Raoul, who had begun his address withan assumption of self-possession, finished it by allowing a manifestemotion to escape him at every word. Athos fixed upon Bragelonne asearching look, overshadowed indeed by a slight sadness.

  "You have reflected well upon it?" he inquired.

  "Yes, monsieur."

  "I believe you are already acquainted with my views respecting thisalliance?"

  "Yes, monsieur," replied Raoul, in a low tone of voice, "but you added,that if I persisted----"

  "You do persist, then?"

  Bragelonne stammered out an almost unintelligible assent.

  "Your passion," continued Athos, tranquilly, "must indeed be very great,since, notwithstanding my dislike to this union, you persist in wishingit."

  Raoul passed his trembling hand across his forehead to remove theperspiration that collected there. Athos looked at him, and his heartwas touched by pity. He rose and said,----

  "It is no matter. My own personal feelings are not to be taken intoconsideration since yours are concerned; you need my assistance; I amready to give it. Tell me what you want."

  "Your kind indulgence, first of all, monsieur," said Raoul, taking holdof his hand.

  "You have mistaken my feelings, Raoul, I have more than mere indulgencefor you in my heart."

  Raoul kissed as devotedly as a lover could have done the hand he held inhis own.

  "Come, come," said Athos, "I am quite ready; what do you wish me tosign?"

  "Nothing whatever, monsieur, only it would be very kind if you wouldtake the trouble to write to the king to whom I belong, and solicit hismajesty's permission for me to marry Mademoiselle de la Valliere."

  "Well thought, Raoul! After, or rather before myself, you have a masterto consult, that master being the king; it is loyal in you to submityourself voluntarily to this double proof; I will grant your requestwithout delay, Raoul."

  The count approached the window, and leaning out, called to Grimaud,who showed his head from an arbor covered with jasmine, which he wasoccupied in trimming.

  "My horses, Grimaud," continued the count.

  "Why this order, monsieur?" inquired Raoul.

  "We shall set off in a few hours."

  "Whither?"

  "For Paris."

  "Paris, monsieur?"

  "Is not the king at Paris?"

  "Certainly."

  "Well, ought we not to go there?"

  "Yes, monsieur," said Raoul, almost alarmed by this kind condescension."I do not ask you to put yourself to such inconvenience, and a lettermerely----"

  "You mistake my position, Raoul; it is not respectful that a simplegentleman, such as I am, should write to his sovereign. I wish to speak,I ought to speak, to the king, and I will do so. We will go together,Raoul."

  "You overpower me with your kindness, monsieur."

  "How do you think his majesty is affected?"

  "Towards me, monsieur?"

  "Yes."

  "Excellently well disposed."

  "You know that to be so?" continued the count.

  "The king has himself told me so."

  "On what occasion?"

  "Upon the recommendation of M. d'Artagnan, I believe, and on account ofan affair in the Place de Greve, when I had the honor to draw my swordin the king's service. I have reason to believe that, vanity apart, Istand well with his majesty."

  "So much the better."

  "But I entreat you, monsieur," pursued Raoul, "not to maintain towardsme your present grave and serious manner. Do not make me bitterly regrethaving listened to a feeling stronger than anything else."

  "That is the second time you have said so, Raoul; it was quiteunnecessary, you require my formal consent, and you have it. We needtalk no more on the subject, therefore. Come and see my new plantations,Raoul."

  The young man knew very well, that, after the expression of his father'swish, no opportunity of discussion was left him. He bowed his head, andfollowed his father into the garden. Athos slowly pointed out to himthe grafts, the cuttings, and the avenues he was planting. This perfectrepose of manner disconcerted Raoul extremely; the affection with whichhis own heart was filled seemed so great that the whole world couldhardly contain it. How, then, could his father's heart remain void,and closed to its influence? Bragelonne, therefore, collecting all hiscourage, suddenly exclaimed,----

  "It is impossible, monsieur, you can have any reason to rejectMademoiselle de la Valliere? In Heaven's name, she is so good, sogentle and pure, that your mind, so perfect in its penetration, oughtto appreciate her accordingly. Does any secret repugnance, or anyhereditary dislike, exist between you and her family?"

  "Look, Raoul, at that beautiful lily of the valley," said Athos;"observe how the shade and the damp situation suit it, particularly theshadow which that sycamore-tree casts over it, so that the warmth, andnot the blazing heat of the sun, filters through its leaves."

  Raoul stopped, bit his lips, and then with the blood mantling in hisface, he said, courageously,--"One word of explanation, I beg, monsieur.You cannot forget that your son is a man."

  "In that case," replied Athos, drawing himself up with sternness, "proveto me that you are a man, for you do not show yourself a son. I beggedyou to wait the opportunity of forming an illustrious alliance. I wouldhave obtained a wife for you from the first ranks of the rich nobility.I wish you to be distinguished by the splendor which glory and fortuneconfer, for nobility of descent you have already."

  "Monsieur," exclaimed Raoul, carried away by a first impulse, "I wasreproached the other day for not knowing who my mother was."

  Athos turned pale; then, knitting his brows like the greatest of allthe heathen deities:--"I am waiting to learn the reply you made," hedemanded, in an imperious manner.

  "Forgive me! oh, forgive me," murmured the young man, sinking at oncefrom the lofty tone he had assumed.

  "What was your reply, monsieur?" inquired the count, stamping his feetupon the ground.

  "Monsieur, my sword was in my hand immediately, my adversary placedhimself on guard, I struck his sword over the palisade, and threw himafter it."

  "Why did you suffer him to live?"

  "The king has prohibited duelling, and, at that moment, I was anambassador of the king."

  "Very well," said Athos, "but all the greater reason I should see hismajesty."

  "What do you intend to ask him?"

  "Authority to draw my sword against the man who has inflicted thisinjury upon me."

  "If I did not act as I ou
ght to have done, I beg you to forgive me."

  "Did I reproach you, Raoul?"

  "Still, the permission you are going to ask from the king?"

  "I will implore his majesty to sign your marriage-contract, but on onecondition."

  "Are conditions necessary with me, monsieur? Command, and you shall beobeyed."

  "On one condition, I repeat," continued Athos; "that you tell me thename of the man who spoke of your mother in that way."

  "What need is there that you should know his name; the offense wasdirected against myself, and the permission once obtained from hismajesty, to revenge it is my affair."

  "Tell me his name, monsieur."

  "I will not allow you to expose yourself.

  "Do you take me for a Don Diego? His name, I say."

  "You insist upon it?"

  "I demand it."

  "The Vicomte de Wardes."

  "Very well," said Athos, tranquilly, "I know him. But our horses areready, I see; and, instead of delaying our departure for a couple ofhours, we will set off at once. Come, monsieur."

  CHAPTER 91. Monsieur becomes jealous of the Duke of Buckingham