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The Vicomte De Bragelonne
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The Vicomte De Bragelonne 39 at Prostate Health
Come with me, my brother;I will give you one of my residences, whichever you prefer,to inhabit. I, with you, will keep my eyes upon events; wewill prepare. Come, then, my brother, have courage!"Charles II. withdrew his hand from that of the king, anddrawing back, to salute him with more ceremony, "With all myheart, thanks!" replied he, "sire; but I have prayed withoutsuccess to the greatest king on earth; now I will go and aska miracle of God." And he went out without being willing tohear any more, his head carried loftily, his hand trembling,with a painful contraction of his noble countenance, andthat profound gloom which, finding no more hope in the worldof men, appeared to go beyond it, and ask it in worldsunknown. The officer of musketeers, on seeing him pass bythus pale, bowed almost to his knees as he saluted him. Hethen took a flambeau, called two musketeers, and descendedthe deserted staircase with the unfortunate king, holding inhis left hand his hat, the plume of which swept the steps.Arrived at the door, the musketeer asked the king which wayhe was going, that he might direct the musketeers."Monsieur," replied Charles II., in a subdued voice, "youwho have known my father, say, did you ever pray for him? Ifyou have done so, do not forget me in your prayers. Now, Iam going alone, and beg of you not to accompany me, or haveme accompanied any further."The officer bowed and sent away the musketeers into theinterior of the palace. But he himself remained an instantunder the porch watching the departing Charles II., till hewas lost in the turn of the next street. "To him as to hisfather formerly," murmured he, "Athos, if he were here,would say with reason, -- `Salute fallen majesty!" Then,reascending the staircase: "Oh! the vile service that Ifollow!" said he at every step. "Oh! my pitiful master! Lifethus carried on is no longer tolerable, and it is at lengthtime that I should do something! No more generosity, no moreenergy! The master has succeeded, the pupil is starvedforever. Mordioux! I will not resist. Come, you men,"continued he, entering the ante-chamber, "why are you alllooking at me so? Extinguish these torches and return toyour posts. Ah! you were guarding me? Yes, you watch overme, do you not, worthy fellows? Brave fools! I am not theDuc de Guise. Begone! They will not assassinate me in thelittle passage. Besides," added he, in a low voice, "thatwould be a resolution, and no resolutions have been formedsince Monsieur le Cardinal de Richelieu died. Now, with allhis faults, that was a man! It is settled: to-morrow I willthrow my cassock to the nettles."Then, reflecting: "No," said he, "not yet! I have one greattrial to make and I will make it; but that, and I swear it,shall be the last, Mordioux!"He had not finished speaking when a voice issued from thekings chamber. "Monsieur le lieutenant!" said this voice."Here am I," replied he."The king desires to speak to you.""Humph!" said the lieutenant; "perhaps of what I wasthinking about." And he went into the kings apartment.CHAPTER 12The King and the LieutenantAs soon as the king saw the officer enter, he dismissed hisvalet de chambre and his gentleman. "Who is on dutyto-morrow, monsieur?" asked he.The lieutenant bowed his head with military politeness andreplied, "I am, sire.""What! still you?""Always I, sire.""How can that be, monsieur?""Sire, when traveling, the musketeers supply all the postsof your majestys household; that is to say, yours, hermajesty the queens, and monsieur le cardinals, the latterof whom borrows of the king the best part, or rather themost numerous part, of the royal guard.""But in the interims?""There are no interims, sire, but for twenty or thirty menwho rest out of a hundred and twenty. At the Louvre it isvery different, and if I were at the Louvre I should relyupon my brigadier; but, when traveling, sire, no one knowswhat may happen, and I prefer doing my duty myself.""Then you are on guard every day?""And every night. Yes, sire.""Monsieur, I cannot allow that -- I will have you rest.""That is very kind, sire, but I will not.""What do you say?" said the king who did not at firstcomprehend the full meaning of this reply."I say, sire, that I will
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