第8章

"Goandmeetyourmen，"saidAramistoBaisemeaux。

Thegovernorobeyed。？Thesergeantandturnkeysdisappeared。？Baisemeauxre—entered，followedbyaprisoner。？Aramishadplacedhimselfintheshade;hesawwithoutbeingseen。？Baisemeaux，inanagitatedtoneofvoice，madetheyoungmanacquaintedwiththeorderwhichsethimatliberty。？Theprisonerlistened，withoutmakingasinglegestureorsayingaword。"

"Youwillswear（\'tistheregulationthatrequiresit），"addedthegovernor，"nevertorevealanythingthatyouhaveseenorheardintheBastile。"

Theprisonerperceivedacrucifix;hestretchedouthishandsandsworewithhislips。？"Andnow，monsieur，youarefree。？Whitherdoyouintendgoing？"

Theprisonerturnedhishead，asiflookingbehindhimforsomeprotection，onwhichheoughttorely。？ThenwasitthatAramiscameoutoftheshade:"Iamhere，"hesaid，"torenderthegentlemanwhateverservicehemaypleasetoask。"

Theprisonerslightlyreddened，and，withouthesitation，passedhisarmthroughthatofAramis。？"Godhaveyouinhisholykeeping，"hesaid，inavoicethefirmnessofwhichmadethegovernortrembleasmuchastheformoftheblessingastonishedhim。

Aramis，onshakinghandswithBaisemeaux，saidtohim;"Doesmyordertroubleyou？？Doyoufeartheirfindingithere，shouldtheycometosearch？"

"I

desiretokeepit，monseigneur，"saidBaisemeaux。？"Iftheyfoundithere，itwouldbeacertainindicationIshouldbelost，andinthatcaseyouwouldbeapowerfulandalastauxiliaryforme。"

"Beingyouraccomplice，youmean？"answeredAramis，shrugginghisshoulders。？"Adieu，Baisemeaux，"saidhe。

Thehorseswereinwaiting，makingeachrustyspringreverberatethecarriageagainwiththeirimpatience。？Baisemeauxaccompaniedthebishoptothebottomofthesteps。？Aramiscausedhiscompaniontomountbeforehim，thenfollowed，andwithoutgivingthedriveranyfurtherorder，"Goon，"saidhe。？Thecarriagerattledoverthepavementofthecourtyard。？Anofficerwithatorchwentbeforethehorses，andgaveordersateveryposttoletthempass。？Duringthetimetakeninopeningallthebarriers，Aramisbarelybreathed，andyoumighthaveheardhis"sealedheartknockagainsthisribs。"？Theprisoner，buriedinacornerofthecarriage，madenomoresignoflifethanhiscompanion。？Atlength，ajoltmoreseverthantheothersannouncedtothemthattheyhadclearedthelastwatercourse。？Behindthecarriageclosedthelastgate，thatintheRueSt。Antoine。？Nomorewallseitherontherightortheleft;heaveneverywhere，libertyeverywhere，andlifeeverywhere。？Thehorses，keptincheckbyavigoroushand，wentquietlyasfarasthemiddleofthefaubourg。？Theretheybegantotrot。？Littlebylittle，whethertheywerewarmingtotheirwork，orwhethertheywereurged，theygainedinswiftness，andoncepastBercy，thecarriageseemedtofly，sogreatwastheardorofthecoursers。？ThehorsesgallopedthusasfarasVilleneuveSt。George\'s，whererelayswerewaiting。？ThenfourinsteadoftwowhirledthecarriageawayinthedirectionofMelun，andpulledupforamomentinthemiddleoftheforestofSenart。？Nodoubttheorderhadbeengiventhepostilionbeforehand，forAramishadnooccasioneventomakeasign。

"Whatisthematter？"askedtheprisoner，asifwakingfromalongdream。

"Thematteris，monseigneur，"saidAramis，"thatbeforegoingfurther，itisnecessaryyourroyalhighnessandIshouldconverse。"

"I

willawaitanopportunity，monsieur，"answeredtheyoungprince。

"Wecouldnothaveabetter，monseigneur。？Weareinthemiddleofaforest，andnoonecanhearus。"

"Thepostilion？"

"Thepostilionofthisrelayisdeafanddumb，monseigneur。"

"I

amatyourservice，M。d\'Herblay。"

"Isityourpleasuretoremaininthecarriage？"

"Yes;

wearecomfortablyseated，andIlikethiscarriage，forithasrestoredmetoliberty。"

"Wait，monseigneur;thereisyetaprecautiontobetaken。"

"What？"

"Wearehereonthehighway;cavaliersorcarriagestravelinglikeourselvesmightpass，andseeingusstopping，deemusinsomedifficulty。？Letusavoidoffersofassistance，whichwouldembarrassus。"

"Givethepostilionorderstoconcealthecarriageinoneofthesideavenues。"

"\'TisexactlywhatIwishedtodo，monseigneur。"

Aramismadeasigntothedeafanddumbdriverofthecarriage，whomhetouchedonthearm。？Thelatterdismounted，tooktheleadersbythebridle，andledthemoverthevelvetswardandthemossygrassofawindingalley，atthebottomofwhich，onthismoonlessnight，thedeepshadesformedacurtainblackerthanink。？Thisdone，themanlaydownonaslopenearhishorses，who，oneitherside，keptnibblingtheyoungoakshoots。

"I

amlistening，"saidtheyoungprincetoAramis;"butwhatareyoudoingthere？"

"I

amdisarmingmyselfofmypistols，ofwhichwehavenofurtherneed，monseigneur。"

ChapterIX:

TheTempter。

"Myprince，"saidAramis，turninginthecarriagetowardshiscompanion，"weakcreatureasIam，sounpretendingingenius，solowinthescaleofintelligentbeings，ithasneveryethappenedtometoconversewithamanwithoutpenetratinghisthoughtsthroughthatlivingmaskwhichhasbeenthrownoverourmind，inordertoretainitsexpression。？Butto—night，inthisdarkness，inthereservewhichyoumaintain，Icanreadnothingonyourfeatures，andsomethingtellsmethatIshallhavegreatdifficultyinwrestingfromyouasinceredeclaration。？Ibeseechyou，then，notforloveofme，forsubjectsshouldneverweighasanythinginthebalancewhichprinceshold，butforloveofyourself，toretaineverysyllable，everyinflexionwhich，underthepresentmostgravecircumstances，willallhaveasenseandvalueasimportantasanyeveryutteredintheworld。"

"I

listen，"repliedtheyoungprince，"decidedly，withouteithereagerlyseekingorfearinganythingyouareabouttosaytome。"？Andheburiedhimselfstilldeeperinthethickcushionsofthecarriage，tryingtodeprivehiscompanionnotonlyofthesightofhim，butevenoftheveryideaofhispresence。

Blackwasthedarknesswhichfellwideanddensefromthesummitsoftheintertwiningtrees。？Thecarriage，coveredinbythisprodigiousroof，wouldnothavereceivedaparticleoflight，notevenifaraycouldhavestruggledthroughthewreathsofmistthatwerealreadyrisingintheavenue。

"Monseigneur，"

resumedAramis，"youknowthehistoryofthegovernmentwhichto—daycontrolsFrance。？Thekingissuedfromaninfancyimprisonedlikeyours，obscureasyours，andconfinedasyours;

only，insteadofending，likeyourself，thisslaveryinaprison，thisobscurityinsolitude，thesestraightenedcircumstancesinconcealment，hewasfaintobearallthesemiseries，humiliations，anddistresses，infulldaylight，underthepitilesssunofroyalty;onanelevationfloodedwithlight，whereeverystainappearsablemish，everygloryastain。？Thekinghassuffered;itranklesinhismind;andhewillavengehimself。？Hewillbeabadking。？Isaynotthathewillpourouthispeople\'sblood，likeLouisXI。，orCharlesIX。;forhehasnomortalinjuriestoavenge;

buthewilldevourthemeansandsubstanceofhispeople;forhehashimselfundergonewrongsinhisowninterestandmoney。？Inthefirstplace，then，Iacquitmyconscience，whenIconsideropenlythemeritsandthefaultsofthisgreatprince;andifIcondemnhim，myconscienceabsolvesme。"

Aramispaused。？Itwasnottolistenifthesilenceoftheforestremainedundisturbed，butitwastogatheruphisthoughtsfromtheverybottomofhissoul—toleavethethoughtshehadutteredsufficienttimetoeatdeeplyintothemindofhiscompanion。

"AllthatHeavendoes，Heavendoeswell，"continuedthebishopofVannes;

"andIamsopersuadedofitthatIhavelongbeenthankfultohavebeenchosendepositaryofthesecretwhichIhaveaidedyoutodiscover。？ToajustProvidencewasnecessaryaninstrument，atoncepenetrating，persevering，andconvinced，toaccomplishagreatwork。？Iamthisinstrument。？Ipossesspenetration，perseverance，conviction;Igovernamysteriouspeople，whohastakenforitsmotto，themottoofGod，\'Patiensquia渢ernus。\'"？Theprincemoved。？"Idivine，monseigneur，whyyouareraisingyourhead，andaresurprisedatthepeopleIhaveundermycommand。？Youdidnotknowyouweredealingwithaking—oh！monseigneur，kingofapeopleveryhumble，muchdisinherited;humblebecausetheyhavenoforcesavewhencreeping;disinherited，becausenever，almostneverinthisworld，domypeoplereaptheharvesttheysow，noreatthefruittheycultivate。？Theylaborforanabstractidea;theyheaptogetheralltheatomsoftheirpower，tofromasingleman;

androundthisman，withthesweatoftheirlabor，theycreateamistyhalo，whichhisgeniusshall，inturn，renderaglorygildedwiththeraysofallthecrownsinChristendom。？Suchisthemanyouhavebesideyou，monseigneur。？Itistotellyouthathehasdrawnyoufromtheabyssforagreatpurpose，toraiseyouabovethepowersoftheearth—abovehimself。"

Transcriber\'snote:"Heispatientbecauseheiseternal。"ishowtheLatintranslates。？ItisfromSt。Augustine。？ThismottowassometimesappliedtothePapacy，butnottotheJesuits。—JB

TheprincelightlytouchedAramis\'sarm。？"Youspeaktome，"hesaid，"ofthatreligiousorderwhosechiefyouare。？Forme，theresultofyourwordsis，thatthedayyoudesiretohurldownthemanyoushallhaveraised，theeventwillbeaccomplished;andthatyouwillkeepunderyourhandyourcreationofyesterday。"

"Undeceiveyourself，monseigneur，"repliedthebishop。？"Ishouldnottakethetroubletoplaythisterriblegamewithyourroyalhighness，ifIhadnotadoubleinterestingainingit。？Thedayyouareelevated，youareelevatedforever;youwilloverturnthefootstool，asyourise，andwillsenditrollingsofar，thatnoteventhesightofitwilleveragainrecalltoyouitsrighttosimplegratitude。"

"Oh，monsieur！"

"Yourmovement，monseigneur，arisesfromanexcellentdisposition。？Ithankyou。？Bewellassured，Iaspiretomorethangratitude！？Iamconvincedthat，whenarrivedatthesummit，youwilljudgemestillmoreworthytobeyourfriend;andthen，monseigneur，wetwowilldosuchgreatdeeds，thatageshereaftershalllongspeakofthem。"

"Tellmeplainly，monsieur—tellmewithoutdisguise—whatIamto—day，andwhatyouaimatmybeingto—morrow。"

"YouarethesonofKingLouisXIII。，brotherofLouisXIV。，naturalandlegitimateheirtothethroneofFrance。？Inkeepingyounearhim，asMonsieurhasbeenkept—Monsieur，youryoungerbrother—thekingreservedtohimselftherightofbeinglegitimatesovereign。？Thedoctorsonlycoulddisputehislegitimacy。？Butthedoctorsalwayspreferthekingwhoistothekingwhoisnot。？Providencehaswilledthatyoushouldbepersecuted;thispersecutionto—dayconsecratesyoukingofFrance。？Youhad，then，arighttoreign，seeingthatitisdisputed;youhadarighttobeproclaimedseeingthatyouhavebeenconcealed;andyoupossessroyalblood，sincenoonehasdaredtoshedyours，asthatofyourservantshasbeenshed。？Nowsee，then，whatthisProvidence，whichyouhavesooftenaccusedofhavingineverywaythwartedyou，hasdoneforyou。？Ithasgivenyouthefeatures，figure，age，andvoiceofyourbrother;andtheverycausesofyourpersecutionareabouttobecomethoseofyourtriumphantrestoration。？To—morrow，afterto—morrow—fromtheveryfirst，regalphantom，livingshadeofLouisXIV。，youwillsituponhisthrone，whencethewillofHeaven，confidedinexecutiontothearmofman，willhavehurledhim，withouthopeofreturn。"

"I

understand，"saidtheprince，"mybrother\'sbloodwillnotbeshed，then。"

"Youwillbesolearbiterofhisfate。"

"Thesecretofwhichtheymadeaneviluseagainstme？"

"Youwillemployitagainsthim。？Whatdidhedotoconcealit？？Heconcealedyou。？Livingimageofhimself，youwilldefeattheconspiracyofMazarinandAnneofAustria。？You，myprince，willhavethesameinterestinconcealinghim，whowill，asaprisoner，resembleyou，asyouwillresemblehimasaking。"

"I

fallbackonwhatIwassayingtoyou。？Whowillguardhim？"

"Whoguardedyou？"

"Youknowthissecret—youhavemadeuseofitwithregardtomyself。？Whoelseknowsit？"

"Thequeen—motherandMadamedeChevreuse。"

"Whatwilltheydo？"

"Nothing，ifyouchoose。"

"Howisthat？"

"Howcantheyrecognizeyou，ifyouactinsuchamannerthatnoonecanrecognizeyou？"

"\'Tistrue;buttherearegravedifficulties。"

"Statethem，prince。"

"Mybrotherismarried;Icannottakemybrother\'swife。"

"I

willcauseSpaintoconsenttoadivorce;itisintheinterestofyournewpolicy;itishumanmorality。？Allthatisreallynobleandreallyusefulinthisworldwillfinditsaccounttherein。"

"Theimprisonedkingwillspeak。"

"Towhomdoyouthinkhewillspeak—tothewalls？"

"Youmean，bywalls，themeninwhomyouputconfidence。"

"Ifneedbe，yes。？Andbesides，yourroyalhighness—"

"Besides？"

"I

wasgoingtosay，thatthedesignsofProvidencedonotstoponsuchafairroad。？Everyschemeofthiscaliberiscompletedbyitsresults，likeageometricalcalculation。？Theking，inprison，willnotbeforyouthecauseofembarrassmentthatyouhavebeenforthekingenthroned。？Hissoulisnaturallyproudandimpatient;

itis，moreover，disarmedandenfeebled，bybeingaccustomedtohonors，andbythelicenseofsupremepower。？ThesameProvidencewhichhaswilledthattheconcludingstepinthegeometricalcalculationIhavehadthehonorofdescribingtoyourroyalhighnessshouldbeyourascensiontothethrone，andthedestructionofhimwhoishurtfultoyou，hasalsodeterminedthattheconqueredoneshallsoonendbothhisownandyoursufferings。？Therefore，hissoulandbodyhavebeenadaptedforbutabriefagony。？Putintoprisonasaprivateindividual，leftalonewithyourdoubts，deprivedofeverything，youhaveexhibitedthemostsublime，enduringprincipleoflifeinwithstandingallthis。？Butyourbrother，acaptive，forgotten，andinbonds，willnotlongendurethecalamity;andHeavenwillresumehissoulattheappointedtime—thatistosay，soon。"

AtthispointinAramis\'sgloomyanalysis，abirdofnightutteredfromthedepthsoftheforestthatprolongedandplaintivecrywhichmakeseverycreaturetremble。

"I

willexilethedeposedking，"saidPhilippe，shuddering;"\'twillbemorehuman。"

"Theking\'sgoodpleasurewilldecidethepoint，"saidAramis。？"Buthastheproblembeenwellput？？HaveIbroughtoutofthesolutionaccordingtothewishesortheforesightofyourroyalhighness？"

"Yes，monsieur，yes;youhaveforgottennothing—except，indeed，twothings。"

"Thefirst？"

"Letusspeakofitatonce，withthesamefranknesswehavealreadyconversedin。？Letusspeakofthecauseswhichmaybringabouttheruinofallthehopeswehaveconceived。？Letusspeakoftheriskswearerunning。"

"Theywouldbeimmense，infinite，terrific，insurmountable，if，asIhavesaid，allthingsdidnotconcurtorenderthemofabsolutelynoaccount。？Thereisnodangereitherforyouorforme，iftheconstancyandintrepidityofyourroyalhighnessareequaltothatperfectionofresemblancetoyourbrotherwhichnaturehasbestoweduponyou。？Irepeatit，therearenodangers，onlyobstacles;aword，indeed，whichIfindinalllanguages，buthavealwaysill—understood，and，wereIking，wouldhaveobliteratedasuselessandabsurd。"

"Yes，indeed，monsieur;thereisaveryseriousobstacle，aninsurmountabledanger，whichyouareforgetting。"

"Ah！"

saidAramis。

"Thereisconscience，whichcriesaloud;remorse，thatneverdies。"

"True，true，"saidthebishop;"thereisaweaknessofheartofwhichyouremindme。？Youareright，too，forthat，indeed，isanimmenseobstacle。？Thehorseafraidoftheditch，leapsintothemiddleofit，andiskilled！？Themanwhotremblingcrosseshisswordwiththatofanotherleavesloopholeswherebyhisenemyhashiminhispower。"

"Haveyouabrother？"saidtheyoungmantoAramis。

"I

amaloneintheworld，"saidthelatter，withahard，dryvoice。

"But，surely，thereissomeoneintheworldwhomyoulove？"addedPhilippe。

"Noone！—Yes，Iloveyou。"

Theyoungmansankintosoprofoundasilence，thatthemeresoundofhisrespirationseemedlikearoaringtumultforAramis。？"Monseigneur，"heresumed，"IhavenotsaidallI

hadtosaytoyourroyalhighness;IhavenotofferedyouallthesalutarycounselsandusefulresourceswhichIhaveatmydisposal。？Itisuselesstoflashbrightvisionsbeforetheeyesofonewhoseeksandlovesdarkness:useless，too，isittoletthemagnificenceofthecannon\'sroarmakeitselfheardintheearsofonewholovesreposeandthequietofthecountry。？Monseigneur，Ihaveyourhappinessspreadoutbeforemeinmythoughts;

listentomywords;precioustheyindeedare，intheirimportandtheirsense，foryouwholookwithsuchtenderregarduponthebrightheavens，theverdantmeadows，thepureair。？Iknowacountryinstinctwithdelightsofeverykind，anunknownparadise，asecludedcorneroftheworld—wherealone，unfetteredandunknown，inthethickcovertofthewoods，amidstflowers，andstreamsofripplingwater，youwillforgetallthemiserythathumanfollyhassorecentlyallottedyou。？Oh！listentome，myprince。？Idonotjest。？Ihaveaheart，andmind，andsoul，andcanreadyourown，—aye，eventoitsdepths。？Iwillnottakeyouunreadyforyourtask，inordertocastyouintothecrucibleofmyowndesires，ofmycaprice，ormyambition。？Letitbeallornothing。？Youarechilledandgalled，sickatheart，overcomebyexcessoftheemotionswhichbutonehour\'slibertyhasproducedinyou。？Forme，thatisacertainandunmistakablesignthatyoudonotwishtocontinueatliberty。？Wouldyoupreferamorehumblelife，alifemoresuitedtoyourstrength？？Heavenismywitness，thatIwishyourhappinesstobetheresultofthetrialtowhichI

haveexposedyou。"

"Speak，speak，"saidtheprince，withavivacitywhichdidnotescapeAramis。

"I

know，"resumedtheprelate，"intheBas—Poitou，acanton，ofwhichnooneinFrancesuspectstheexistence。？Twentyleaguesofcountryisimmense，isitnot？？Twentyleagues，monseigneur，allcoveredwithwaterandherbage，andreedsofthemostluxuriantnature;thewholestuddedwithislandscoveredwithwoodsofthedensestfoliage。？Theselargemarshes，coveredwithreedsaswithathickmantle，sleepsilentlyandcalmlybeneaththesun\'ssoftandgenialrays。？Afewfishermenwiththeirfamiliesindolentlypasstheirlivesawaythere，withtheirgreatliving—raftsofpoplarandalder，theflooringformedofreeds，andtheroofwovenoutofthickrushes。？Thesebarks，thesefloating—houses，arewaftedtoandfrobythechangingwinds。？Whenevertheytouchabank，itisbutbychance;andsogently，too，thatthesleepingfishermanisnotawakenedbytheshock。？Shouldhewishtoland，itismerelybecausehehasseenalargeflightoflandrailsorplovers，ofwildducks，teal，widgeon，orwoodchucks，whichfallaneasypraytonetorgun。？Silvershad，eels，greedypike，redandgraymullet，swiminshoalsintohisnets;hehasbuttochoosethefinestandlargest，andreturntheotherstothewaters。？Neveryethasthefoodofthestranger，behesoldierorsimplecitizen，neverhasanyone，indeed，penetratedintothatdistrict。？Thesun\'sraystherearesoftandtempered:

inplotsofsolidearth，whosesoilisswartandfertile，growsthevine，nourishingwithgenerousjuiceitspurple，white，andgoldengrapes。？Onceaweek，aboatissenttodeliverthebreadwhichhasbeenbakedatanoven—thecommonpropertyofall。？There—liketheseigneursofearlydays—

powerfulinvirtueofyourdogs，yourfishing—lines，yourguns，andyourbeautifulreed—builthouse，wouldyoulive，richintheproduceofthechase，inplentitudeofabsolutesecrecy。？Therewouldyearsofyourliferollaway，attheendofwhich，nolongerrecognizable，foryouwouldhavebeenperfectlytransformed，youwouldhavesucceededinacquiringadestinyaccordedtoyoubyHeaven。？Thereareathousandpistolesinthisbag，monseigneur—more，farmore，thansufficienttopurchasethewholemarshofwhichIhavespoken;

morethanenoughtolivethereasmanyyearsasyouhavedaystolive;morethanenoughtoconstituteyoutherichest，thefreest，andthehappiestmaninthecountry。？Acceptit，asIofferityou—sincerely，cheerfully。？Forthwith，withoutamoment\'spause，Iwillunharnesstwoofmyhorses，whichareattachedtothecarriageyonder，andthey，accompaniedbymyservant—mydeafanddumbattendant—shallconductyou—travelingthroughoutthenight，sleepingduringtheday—tothelocalityIhavedescribed;andIshall，atleast，havethesatisfactionofknowingthatIhaverenderedtomyprincethemajorservicehehimselfpreferred。？Ishallhavemadeonehumanbeinghappy;andHeavenforthatwillholdmeinbetteraccountthanifIhadmadeonemanpowerful;theformertaskisfarmoredifficult。？Andnow，monseigneur，youranswertothisproposition？？Hereisthemoney。？Nay，donothesitate。？AtPoitou，youcanrisknothing，exceptthechanceofcatchingthefeversprevalentthere;andevenofthem，theso—calledwizardsofthecountrywillcureyou，forthesakeofyourpistoles。？Ifyouplaytheothergame，yourunthechanceofbeingassassinatedonathrone，strangledinaprison—cell。？Uponmysoul，Iassureyou，nowIbegintocomparethemtogether，ImyselfshouldhesitatewhichlotIshouldaccept。"

"Monsieur，"

repliedtheyoungprince，"beforeIdetermine，letmealightfromthiscarriage，walkontheground，andconsultthatstillvoicewithinme，whichHeavenbidsusalltohearkento。？TenminutesisallIask，andthenyoushallhaveyouranswer。"

"Asyouplease，monseigneur，"saidAramis，bendingbeforehimwithrespect，sosolemnandaugustintoneandaddresshadsoundedthesestrangewords。

ChapterX:

CrownandTiara。

Aramiswasthefirsttodescendfromthecarriage;heheldthedooropenfortheyoungman。？Hesawhimplacehisfootonthemossygroundwithatremblingofthewholebody，andwalkroundthecarriagewithanunsteadyandalmosttotteringstep。？ItseemedasifthepoorprisonerwasunaccustomedtowalkonGod\'searth。？Itwasthe15thofAugust，abouteleveno\'clockatnight;thickclouds，portendingatempest，overspreadtheheavens，andshroudedeverylightandprospectunderneaththeirheavyfolds。？Theextremitiesoftheavenueswereimperceptiblydetachedfromthecopse，byalightershadowofopaquegray，which，uponcloserexamination，becamevisibleinthemidstoftheobscurity。？Butthefragrancewhichascendedfromthegrass，fresherandmorepenetratingthanthatwhichexhaledfromthetreesaroundhim;thewarmandbalmyairwhichenvelopedhimforthefirsttimeformanyyearspast;theineffableenjoymentoflibertyinanopencountry，spoketotheprinceinsoseductivealanguage，thatnotwithstandingthepreternaturalcaution，wewouldalmostsaydissimulationofhischaracter，ofwhichwehavetriedtogiveanidea，hecouldnotrestrainhisemotion，andbreathedasighofecstasy。？Then，bydegrees，heraisedhisachingheadandinhaledthesoftlyscentedair，asitwaswaftedingentleguststohisupliftedface。？Crossinghisarmsonhischest，asiftocontrolthisnewsensationofdelight，hedrankindeliciousdraughtsofthatmysteriousairwhichinterpenetratesatnighttheloftiestforests。？Theskyhewascontemplating，themurmuringwaters，theuniversalfreshness—wasnotallthisreality？？WasnotAramisamadmantosupposethathehadaughtelsetodreamofinthisworld？？Thoseexcitingpicturesofcountrylife，sofreefromfearsandtroubles，theoceanofhappydaysthatglittersincessantlybeforeallyoungimaginations，arerealallurementswherewithtofascinateapoor，unhappyprisoner，wornoutbyprisoncares，emaciatedbythestiflingairoftheBastile。？Itwasthepicture，itwillberemembered，drawnbyAramis，whenheofferedthethousandpistoleshehadwithhiminthecarriagetotheprince，andtheenchantedEdenwhichthedesertsofBas—Poitouhidfromtheeyesoftheworld。？SuchwerethereflectionsofAramisashewatched，withananxietyimpossibletodescribe，thesilentprogressoftheemotionsofPhilippe，whomheperceivedgraduallybecomingmoreandmoreabsorbedinhismeditations。？TheyoungprincewasofferingupaninwardprayertoHeaven，tobedivinelyguidedinthistryingmoment，uponwhichhislifeordeathdepended。？ItwasananxioustimeforthebishopofVannes，whohadneverbeforebeensoperplexed。？Hisironwill，accustomedtoovercomeallobstacles，neverfindingitselfinferiororvanquishedonanyoccasion，tobefoiledinsovastaprojectfromnothavingforeseentheinfluencewhichaviewofnatureinallitsluxuriancewouldhaveonthehumanmind！？Aramis，overwhelmedbyanxiety，contemplatedwithemotionthepainfulstrugglethatwastakingplaceinPhilippe\'smind。？Thissuspenselastedthewholetenminuteswhichtheyoungmanhadrequested。？Duringthisspaceoftime，whichappearedaneternity，Philippecontinuedgazingwithanimploringandsorrowfullooktowardstheheavens;AramisdidnotremovethepiercingglancehehadfixedonPhilippe。？Suddenlytheyoungmanbowedhishead。？Histhoughtreturnedtotheearth，hislooksperceptiblyhardened，hisbrowcontracted，hismouthassuminganexpressionofundauntedcourage;againhislooksbecamefixed，butthistimetheyworeaworldlyexpression，hardenedbycovetousness，pride，andstrongdesire。？Aramis\'slookimmediatelybecameassoftasithadbeforebeengloomy。？Philippe，seizinghishandinaquick，agitatedmanner，exclaimed:

"LeadmetowherethecrownofFranceistobefound。"

"Isthisyourdecision，monseigneur？"askedAramis。

"Itis。"

"Irrevocablyso？"

Philippedidnotevendeigntoreply。？Hegazedearnestlyatthebishop，asiftoaskhimifitwerepossibleforamantowaverafterhavingoncemadeuphismind。

"Suchlooksareflashesofthehiddenfirethatbetraysmen\'scharacter，"saidAramis，bowingoverPhilippe\'shand;"youwillbegreat，monseigneur，I

willanswerforthat。"

"Letusresumeourconversation。？Iwishedtodiscusstwopointswithyou;inthefirstplacethedangers，ortheobstacleswemaymeetwith。？Thatpointisdecided。？Theotheristheconditionsyouintendimposingonme。？Itisyourturntospeak，M。d\'Herblay。"

"Theconditions，monseigneur？"

"Doubtless。？Youwillnotallowsomereatrifletostopme，andyouwillnotdometheinjusticetosupposethatIthinkyouhavenointerestinthisaffair。？Therefore，withoutsubterfugeorhesitation，tellmethetruth—"

"I

willdoso，monseigneur。？Onceaking—

"

"Whenwillthatbe？"

"To—morrowevening—Imeaninthenight。"

"Explainyourself。"

"WhenIshallhaveaskedyourhighnessaquestion。"

"Doso。"

"I

senttoyourhighnessamaninmyconfidencewithinstructionstodeliversomecloselywrittennotes，carefullydrawnup，whichwillthoroughlyacquaintyourhighnesswiththedifferentpersonswhocomposeandwillcomposeyourcourt。"