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The Vicomte De Bragelonne 55 at Prostate Health
father.But why and for whom?""For the French gentleman placed beneath his scaffold.""For you, then, monsieur?""Yes, sire; and every one of the words which he spoke to me,through the planks of the scaffold covered with a blackcloth, still sounds in my ears. The king knelt down on oneknee: `Comte de la Fere, said he, `are you there? `Yes,sire, replied I. Then the king stooped towards the boards."Charles II., also palpitating with interest, burning withgrief, stooped towards Athos, to catch, one by one, everyword that escaped from him. His head touched that of thecomte."Then," continued Athos, "the king stooped. `Comte de laFere, said he, `I could not be saved by you: it was not tobe. Now, even though I commit a sacrilege, I must speak toyou. Yes, I have spoken to men -- yes, I have spoken to God,and I speak to you the last. To sustain a cause which Ithought sacred, I have lost the throne of my fathers and theheritage of my children."Charles II. concealed his face in his hands, and a bittertear glided between his white and slender fingers."`I have still a million in gold, continued the king. `Iburied it in the vaults of the castle of Newcastle, a momentbefore I left that city." Charles raised his head with anexpression of such painful joy that it would have drawntears from any one acquainted with his misfortunes."A million!" murmured he. "Oh, count!""`You alone know that this money exists: employ it when youthink it can be of the greatest service to my eldest son.And now, Comte de la Fere, bid me adieu!"`Adieu, adieu, sire! cried I."Charles arose, and went and leant his burning brow againstthe window."It was then," continued Athos, "that the king pronouncedthe word, `REMEMBER! addressed to me. You see, sire, that Ihave remembered."The king could not resist or conceal his emotion. Athosbeheld the movement of his shoulders, which undulatedconvulsively; he heard the sobs which burst from hisovercharged breast. He was silent himself, suffocated by theflood of bitter remembrances he had just poured upon thatroyal head. Charles II., with a violent effort, left thewindow, devoured his tears, and came and sat by Athos."Sire," said the latter, "I thought till to-day that thetime had not yet arrived for the employment of that lastresource; but, with my eyes fixed upon England, I felt itwas approaching. To-morrow I meant to go and inquire in whatpart of the world your majesty was, and then I purposedgoing to you. You come to me, sire; that is an indicationthat God is with us.""My lord," said Charles, in a voice choked by emotion, "youare, for me, what an angel sent from heaven would be, -- youare a preserver sent to me from the tomb of my fatherhimself; but, believe me, for ten years civil war haspassed over my country, striking down men, tearing up thesoil, it is no more probable that gold should remain in theentrails of the earth, than love in the hearts of mysubjects.""Sire, the spot in which his majesty buried the million iswell known to me, and no one, I am sure, has been able todiscover it. Besides, is the castle of Newcastle quitedestroyed? Have they demolished it stone by stone, anduprooted the soil to the last tree?""No, it is still standing: but at this moment General Monkoccupies it and is encamped there. The only spot from whichI could look for succor, where I possess a single resource,you see, is invaded by my enemies.""General Monk, sire, cannot have discovered the treasurewhich I speak of.""Yes, but can I go and deliver myself up to Monk, in orderto recover this treasure? Ah! count, you see plainly I mustyield to destiny, since it strikes me to the earth everytime I rise. What can I do with Parry as my only servant,with Parry, whom Monk has already driven from his presence?No, no, no, count, we must yield to this last blow.""But what your majesty cannot do, and what Parry can no moreattempt, do you not believe that I could succeed inaccomplishing?""You -- you, count -- you would go?""If it please your majesty," said Athos, bowing to the king,"yes, I will go, sire.""What! you so happy here, count?""I am never happy when I have a duty left to accomplish,
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