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The Vicomte De Bragelonne
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The Vicomte De Bragelonne 32 at Prostate Health
monsieur le cardinal. Wait for me, if you please-- I will return."CHAPTER 10The Arithmetic of M. de MazarinWhilst the king was directing his course rapidly towards thewing of the castle occupied by the cardinal, taking nobodywith him but his valet de chambre, the officer of musketeerscame out, breathing like a man who has for a long time beenforced to hold his breath, from the little cabinet of whichwe have already spoken, and which the king believed to bequite solitary. This little cabinet had formerly been partof the chamber, from which it was only separated by a thinpartition. It resulted that this partition, which was onlyfor the eye, permitted the ear the least indiscreet to hearevery word spoken in the chamber.There was no doubt, then, that this lieutenant of musketeershad heard all that passed in his majestys apartment.Warned by the last words of the young king, he came out justin time to salute him on his passage, and to follow him withhis eyes till he had disappeared in the corridor.Then as soon as he had disappeared, he shook his head aftera fashion peculiarly his own, and in a voice which fortyyears absence from Gascony had not deprived of its Gasconaccent, "A melancholy service," said he, "and a melancholymaster!"These words pronounced, the lieutenant resumed his place inhis fauteuil, stretched his legs and closed his eyes, like aman who either sleeps or meditates.During this short monologue and the mise en scene that hadaccompanied it, whilst the king, through the long corridorsof the old castle, proceeded to the apartment of M. deMazarin, a scene of another sort was being enacted in thoseapartments.Mazarin was in bed, suffering a little from the gout. But ashe was a man of order, who utilized even pain, he forced hiswakefulness to be the humble servant of his labor. He hadconsequently ordered Bernouin, his valet de chambre, tobring him a little traveling-desk, so that he might write inbed. But the gout is not an adversary that allows itself tobe conquered so easily; therefore, at each movement he made,the pain from dull became sharp."Is Brienne there?" asked he of Bernouin."No, monseigneur," replied the valet de chambre; "M. deBrienne, with your permission, is gone to bed. But, if it isthe wish of your eminence, he can speedily be called.""No, it is not worth while. Let us see, however. Cursedciphers!"And the cardinal began to think, counting on his fingers thewhile."Oh, ciphers is it?" said Bernouin. "Very well! if youreminence attempts calculations, I will promise you a prettyheadache to-morrow! And with that please to remember M.Guenaud is not here.""You are right, Bernouin. You must take Briennes place, myfriend. Indeed, I ought to have brought M. Colbert with me.That young man goes on very well, Bernouin, very well; avery orderly youth.""I do not know," said the valet de chambre, "but I dontlike the countenance of your young man who goes on so well.""Well, well, Bernouin! We dont stand in need of youradvice. Place yourself there: take the pen and write.""I am ready, monseigneur; what am I to write?""There, thats the place: after the two lines alreadytraced.""I am there.""Write seven hundred and sixty thousand livres.""That is written.""Upon Lyons ---- " The cardinal appeared to hesitate."Upon Lyons," repeated Bernouin."Three millions nine hundred thousand livres.""Well, monseigneur?""Upon Bordeaux seven millions.""Seven?" repeated Bernouin."Yes," said the cardinal, pettishly, "seven." Then,recollecting himself, "You understand, Bernouin," added he,"that all this money is to be spent?""Eh! monseigneur; whether it be to be spent or put away isof very little consequence to me, since none of thesemillions are mine.""These millions are the kings; it is the kings money I amreckoning. Well, what were we saying? You always interruptme!""Seven millions upon Bordeaux.""Ah! yes; thats right. Upon Madrid four millions. I giveyou to understand plainly to whom this money belongs,Bernouin, seeing that everybody has the stupidity to believeme rich in millions. I repel the silly idea. A minister,besides, has nothing of his own. Come, go on. Rentreesgenerales, seven millions; properties, nine millions. Haveyou written that, Bernouin?""Yes, monseigneur.""Bourse, six hundred thousand livres; various property, twomillions. Ah! I forgot -- the furniture of the differentchateaux ---- ""Must I put of the crown?" asked Bernouin."No, no, it is of no use doing that -- that is understood.Have you written that,
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