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The Vicomte De Bragelonne
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The Vicomte De Bragelonne 50 at Prostate Health
me and went straight to thestables, took a horse, saddled it himself, jumped upon itsback, and set off as if the devil were at his heels.""So that you believe, then ---- ""I believe that monsieur the lieutenant of the guards knewmore than he was willing to say.""In your opinion, then, M. dArtagnan ---- ""Is gone, according to all probability, after the exiles, tocarry out all that can facilitate the success of the kingslove."Chatting thus, the two confidants arrived at the door of hiseminences apartment. His eminences gout had left him; hewas walking about his chamber in a state of great anxiety,listening at doors and looking out of windows. Bernouinentered, followed by the gentleman, who had orders from theking to place the letter in the hands of the cardinalhimself. Mazarin took the letter, but before opening it, hegot up a ready smile, a smile of circumstance, able to throwa veil over emotions of whatever sort they might be. Soprepared, whatever was the impression received from theletter, no reflection of that impression was allowed totranspire upon his countenance."Well," said he, when he had read and reread the letter,"very well, monsieur. Inform the king that I thank him forhis obedience to the wishes of the queen-mother, and that Iwill do everything for the accomplishment of his will."The gentlemen left the room. The door had scarcely closedbefore the cardinal, who had no mask for Bernouin, took offthat which had so recently covered his face, and with a mostdismal expression, -- "Call M. de Brienne," said he. Fiveminutes afterward the secretary entered."Monsieur," said Mazarin, "I have just rendered a greatservice to the monarchy, the greatest I have ever renderedit. You will carry this letter, which proves it, to hermajesty the queen-mother, and when she shall have returnedit to you, you will lodge it in portfolio B., which isfilled with documents and papers relative to my ministry."Brienne went as desired, and, as the letter was unsealed,did not fail to read it on his way. There is likewise nodoubt that Bernouin, who was on good terms with everybody,approached so near to the secretary as to be able to readthe letter over his shoulder; so that the news spread withsuch activity through the castle, that Mazarin might havefeared it would reach the ears of the queen-mother before M.de Brienne could convey Louis XIV.s letter to her. A momentafter orders were given for departure, and M. de Condehaving been to pay his respects to the king on his pretendedrising, inscribed the city of Poitiers upon his tablets, asthe place of sojourn and rest for their majesties.Thus in a few instants was unraveled an intrigue which hadcovertly occupied all the diplomacies of Europe. It hadnothing, however, very clear as a result, but to make a poorlieutenant of musketeers lose his commission and hisfortune. It is true, that in exchange he gained his liberty.We shall soon know how M. dArtagnan profited by this. Forthe moment, if the reader will permit us, we shall return tothe hostelry of les Medici, of which one of the windowsopened at the very moment the orders were given for thedeparture of the king.The window that opened was that of one of the rooms ofCharles II. The unfortunate prince had passed the night inbitter reflections, his head resting on his hands, and hiselbows on the table, whilst Parry, infirm and old, weariedin body and in mind, had fallen asleep in a corner. Asingular fortune was that of this faithful servant, who sawbeginning for the second generation the fearful series ofmisfortunes which had weighed so heavily on the first. WhenCharles II. had well thought over the fresh defeat he hadexperienced, when he perfectly comprehended the completeisolation into which he had just fallen, on seeing his freshhope left behind him, he was seized as with a vertigo, andsank back in the large armchair in which he was seated. ThenGod took pity on the unhappy prince, and sent to console himsleep, the innocent brother of death. He did not wake tillhalf-past six, that is to say, till the sun shone brightlyinto his chamber, and Parry, motionless with fear of wakinghim, was observing with profound grief the eyes of the youngman already red with wakefulness, and his cheeks pale withsuffering and
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