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The Vicomte De Bragelonne
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The Vicomte De Bragelonne 469 at Prostate Health
His apartment consisted of
two rooms, in that portion of the palace occupied by Louis XIV. himself.
M. de Saint-Aignan was very proud of this proximity, which afforded easy
access to his majesty, and, more than that, the favor of occasional
unexpected meetings. At the moment we are now referring to, he was
engaged in having both his rooms magnificently carpeted, with the
expectation of receiving the honor of frequent visits from the king; for
his majesty, since his passion for La Valliere, had chosen Saint-Aignan
as his confidant, and could not, in fact, do without him, either night
or day. Malicorne introduced himself to the comte, and met with no
difficulties, because he had been favorably noticed by the king; and,
also, because the credit which one man may happen to enjoy is always a
bait for others. Saint-Aignan asked his visitor if he brought any news
with him.
"Yes; great news," replied the latter.
"Ah! ah!" said Saint-Aignan, "what is it?"
"Mademoiselle de la Valliere has changed her quarters."
"What do you mean?" said Saint-Aignan, opening his eyes very wide. "She
was living in the same apartments as Madame."
"Precisely so; but Madame got tired of her proximity, and has installed
her in a room which is situated exactly above your future apartment."
"What! up there," exclaimed Saint-Aignan, with surprise, and pointing at
the floor above him with his finger.
"No," said Malicorne, "yonder," and indicated the building opposite.
"What do you mean, then, by saying, that her room is above my
apartment?"
"Because I am sure that your apartment ought most naturally to be under
Mademoiselle de la Vallieres room."
Saint-Aignan, at this remark, gave poor Malicorne a look, similar to one
of those La Valliere had already given him a quarter of an hour before,
that is to say, he thought he had lost his senses.
"Monsieur," said Malicorne to him, "I wish to answer what you are
thinking about."
"What do you mean by what I am thinking about?"
"My reason is, that you have not clearly understood what I want to
convey."
"I admit it."
"Well, then, you are aware that underneath the apartments set apart for
Madames maids of honor the gentlemen in attendance on the king and on
Monsieur are lodged."
"Yes, I know that, since Manicamp, De Wardes, and others are living
there."
"Precisely. Well, monsieur, admire the singularity of the circumstance;
the two rooms destined for M. de Guiche are exactly the very two rooms
situated underneath those which Mademoiselle de Montalais and
Mademoiselle de la Valliere occupy."
"Well; what then?"
"What then, do you say? Why, these two rooms are empty, since M. de
Guiche is now lying wounded at Fontainebleau."
"I assure you, my dear monsieur, I cannot guess your meaning."
"Well! if I had the happiness to call myself Saint-Aignan, I should
guess immediately."
"And what would you do, then?"
"I should at once change the rooms I am occupying here, for those which
M. de Guiche is not using yonder."
"Can you suppose such a thing?" said Saint-Aignan disdainfully. "What!
abandon the chief post of honor, the proximity to the king, a privilege
conceded only to princes of the blood, to dukes, and peers! Permit me to
tell you, my dear Monsieur de Malicorne, that you must be out of your
senses."
"Monsieur," replied the young man, seriously, "you commit two mistakes.
My name is Malicorne, simply; and I am in perfect possession of all my
senses." Then, drawing a paper from his pocket, he said, "Listen to what
I am going to say; and, afterward, I will show you this paper."
"I am listening," said Saint-Aignan.
"You know that Madame looks after La Valliere as carefully as Argus did
after the nymph Io."
"I do."
"You know that the king has sought for an opportunity, but uselessly, of
speaking to the prisoner, and that neither you nor myself have yet
succeeded in procuring him this piece of good fortune."
"You certainly ought to know something on that subject, my poor
Malicorne."
"Very good; what do you suppose would happen to the man whose
imagination devised some means of bringing the two lovers together?"
"Oh! the king would have no bounds to his gratitude."
"Let me ask you, then, M. de Saint-Aignan, whether you would not be
curious to taste a little of this royal gratitude?"
"Certainly," replied Saint-Aignan, "any favor of my master, as a
recognition of the proper discharge of my duty, would assuredly be most
precious to me."
"In that case, look at this paper, Monsieur le Comte."
"What is it--a plan?"
"Yes; a plan of M. de Guiches two rooms, which, in all probability,
will soon
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