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The Vicomte De Bragelonne
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The Vicomte De Bragelonne 28 at Prostate Health
his eminences officers, who, inthe tone in which a youth in office directs a solicitor to aminister, let fall these words: "The other staircase, infront."And the officer, without further notice of the unknown,resumed his interrupted conversation.The stranger, without reply, directed his steps towards thestaircase pointed out to him. On this side there was nonoise, there were no more flambeaux.Obscurity, through which a sentinel glided like a shadow;silence, which permitted him to hear the sound of his ownfootsteps, accompanied with the jingling of his spurs uponthe stone slabs.This guard was one of the twenty musketeers appointed forattendance upon the king, and who mounted guard with thestiffness and consciousness of a statue."Who goes there?" said the guard."A friend," replied the unknown."What do you want?""To speak to the king.""Do you, my dear monsieur? Thats not very likely.""Why not?""Because the king has gone to bed.""Gone to bed already?""Yes.""No matter: I must speak to him.""And I tell you that is impossible.""And yet ---- ""Go back!""Do you require the word?""I have no account to render to you. Stand back!"And this time the soldier accompanied his word with athreatening gesture; but the unknown stirred no more than ifhis feet had taken root."Monsieur le mousquetaire," said he, "are you a gentleman?""I have that honor.""Very well! I also am one, and between gentlemen someconsideration ought to be observed."The soldier lowered his arms, overcome by the dignity withwhich these words were pronounced."Speak, monsieur," said he; "and if you ask me anything inmy power ---- ""Thank you. You have an officer, have you not?""Our lieutenant? Yes, monsieur.""Well, I wish to speak to him.""Oh, thats a different thing. Come up, monsieur."The unknown saluted the soldier in a lofty fashion, andascended the staircase; whilst a cry, "Lieutenant, a visit!"transmitted from sentinel to sentinel, preceded the unknown,and disturbed the slumbers of the officer.Dragging on his boots, rubbing his eyes, and hooking hiscloak, the lieutenant made three steps towards the stranger."What can I do to serve you, monsieur?" asked he."You are the officer on duty, lieutenant of the musketeers,are you?""I have that honor," replied the officer."Monsieur, I must absolutely speak to the king."The lieutenant looked attentively at the unknown, and inthat look, however rapid, he saw all he wished to see --that is to say, a person of high distinction in an ordinarydress."I do not suppose you to be mad," replied he; "and yet youseem to me to be in a condition to know, monsieur, thatpeople do not enter a kings apartments in this mannerwithout his consent.""He will consent.""Monsieur, permit me to doubt that. The king has retiredthis quarter of an hour; he must be now undressing. Besides,the word is given.""When he knows who I am, he will recall the word."The officer was more and more surprised, more and moresubdued."If I consent to announce you, may I at least know whom toannounce, monsieur?""You will announce His Majesty Charles II., King of England,Scotland, and Ireland."The officer uttered a cry of astonishment, drew back, andthere might be seen upon his pallid countenance one of themost poignant emotions that ever an energetic man endeavoredto drive back to his heart."Oh, yes, sire; in fact," said he, "I ought to haverecognized you.""You have seen my portrait, then?""No, sire.""Or else you have seen me formerly at court, before I wasdriven from France?""No, sire, it is not even that.""How then could you have recognized me, if you have neverseen my portrait or my person?""Sire, I saw his majesty your father at a terrible moment.""The day ---- ""Yes."A dark cloud passed over the brow of the prince; then,dashing his hand across it, "Do you still see any difficultyin announcing me?" said he."Sire, pardon me," replied the officer, "but I could notimagine a king under so simple an exterior; and yet I hadthe honor to tell your majesty just now that I had seenCharles I. But pardon me, monsieur; I will go and inform theking."But returning after going a few steps, "Your majesty isdesirous, without doubt, that this interview should be asecret?" said he."I do not require it; but if it were possible to preserve it---- ""It is possible, sire, for I can dispense with informing thefirst gentleman on duty; but, for that, your majesty mustplease to consent to give up your sword.""True, true;
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