The Man in the Iron Mask

Pris

his hand to lead the way. Baisemeaux advanced, and Aramis followed him. It was a calm and lovely starlit night; the steps of three men resounded on the flags of the terraces, and the clinking of the keys hanging from the jailer's girdle made itself heard up to the stories of the towers, as if to remind the prisoners that the liberty of earth was a luxury beyond their reach. It might have been said that the alteration effected in Baisemeaux extended even to the prisoners. The turnkey, the same who, on Aramis's first arrival had shown himself so inquis

urtains half-drawn, reposed a young man, to whom we have already once before introduced Aramis. According to custom, the prisoner was without a light. At the hour of curfew, he was bound to extinguish his lamp, and we perceive how much he was favored, in being allowed to keep it burning even till then. Near the bed a large leathern armchair, with twisted legs, sustained his clothes. A little table - without pens, books, paper, or ink - stood neglected in sadness near the window; while severa

confessor?" r

es

e you w

es

ry

swered, "I thank you." After a moment's silence, "I

d imperious character stamped upon the features of the bishop of Vannes w

?" said

I have no longer the same n

which the note you found in

or denied, Aramis continued, "Not even of the ecclesias

n, sinking again on his pillow,

esty of his mien, one which can never be acquired unless Heaven has impl

ow does the Bastile agree w

y we

o not

N

nothing

thi

n your l

asked the prisoner, with the tone of

ars, the happiness of going whithersoever the sinewy

den; this morning they have blown and spread their vermilion chalice beneath my gaze; with every opening petal they unfold the treasures of their perfumes, filling my chamber with a fragrance that embal

t the young ma

," sadly resumed the captive,

d Aramis; "air is s

d who comes to visit me every day without the permission of the governor or the jailer's company. He comes in at the window, and traces in my room a square the shape of the window, which lights up the hangings of my bed and floods the very floor. This luminous square increases from ten o'clock till midday, and decreases from one till three slowly, as if, having hastened to my presence, it sorrowed at bidding me farewell. When its last ray disappears I have enjoyed its presence for five hours. Is not that sufficient? I

helmed with the bitter flow of that sinister p

day in the governor's garden if it is fine - here if it rains? in the fresh air if it is warm; in perfect warmth, thanks to my winter stove, if it be cold?

t so; but it seems to me

soner, with emotion; "but why do you mention it? O

the resignation of a martyr with the smile of an atheist. "Is

of everything," answer

s; "but let us return

better," return

our con

es

ht, as a penitent, t

sire is to t

ime for which he has been imprisoned.

tion the first time you saw

w you evaded giv

ou for thinking that I

time I am yo

explain to me in what a crime consists. For as my consci

e earth, not alone for having ourselves committed crime

nifested the de

are right, monsieur; it is very possible that, in such a li

thought he had pierced not merely through a defe

replied the young man; "but someti

ou say to

le more deeply I should either go m

then?" said Aram

I leav

leave

and my ideas melancholy; I feel

ha

elf up to longing for things which I do not

ath?" said Aramis, wi

the young

huddered. "Oh, as you fear death, you know

here promising a world of confidence; how is it that, nevertheless, it is you who are silent, leaving it f

s is no ordinary man; I must be cautious. - Are you ambitious?" said he

by ambitious?" r

eeling which prompts a man to desire

myself. I am ignorant of the nature of ambition; but it is not i

mis, "is one who covets that

ung man, with an assurance of manner which for t

e attitude of the captive, it was evident that he expected something more than sile

with such a tone in his voice, and such a lightning i

, bowing, "you concealed from m

r," retorted the prisoner, "and not a

is true; pardon me, but today do I still occupy the plac

vertheless he did not appear astonished that it wa

, I would take your

ch beamed in his eyes faded away, and he coldly and distrustfully withdrew his hand

re? Why, that you aspired to nothing? Why, in a word, by th

e in the young man's eyes, but d

ust me," s

ay you so,

you know what you ought to know,

am mistrustful, since you suspect

resistance. "Oh, monseigneur! you drive me to desp

I do not compreh

rstand me." The prisoner

the latter, "that I have before m

is it not so?" said the prisoner

"I have nothing further to say to

, "have nothing to say to a man who will not understan

said Aramis. "Oh, monseig

? - you one of my

mis, "that you once saw, in the villa

me of the village?"

nseigneur," answe

young man, with an

them. Before revealing the important matters I still withhold, be assured I am in need of some encouragement, if not candor; a little sympathy, if not confidence. But you keep yourself intrenched in a pretended which paralyzes

t impatience. Only it appears to me that I have a right to

ng at Noisy-le-Sec a cavalier, accompanied by a lady

ed himself the Abbe d'Herblay. I was astonished that the abbe had so warlike an air, and they rep

eer and abbe, afterwards bishop o

; I recogn

s evening of the presence of this musketeer, this abbe, this bishop, this confessor, here- he, who has risked everything to v

asis, the young man had raised himself on his couch

from it. "Yes," he murmured, "I remember perfectly. The woman of whom you

o see you every month - i

es

ow who thi

prisoner's eyes. "I am aware that she was

that lady well

aw her once with you, and with the lady dressed in black. I have seen her twice since then with the same person. These four people, with my master, and old Per

u were i

ed my residence, but you know it, as you have been there. In a word, being accustomed to live within these bounds, I never cared to leave them. And so you will understand, monsieur,

Aramis, bowing; "for it

n by telling me w

n, monseigneur; fit guide for both body and sou

rs often used to tell me that my father and mother wer

to comply with the

he l

ect. Your fa

my mo

dead f

ives for others

es

oked sharply at Aramis) "am compelled

I fea

in the world would lead to the

a very gre

, to be able to shut up in the Ba

e

ul than my m

do you

her would have

monseigneur; more powe

ed off, and that I, also, was separated from them - e

h he freed himself, by causing the nurse and pr

the prisoner, "how

y," answered Arami

passed his hand tremblingly ove

iso

hard beset by necessity, to assassinate those two innocent people, my sole suppo

necessity which compels me, to my great regret, to tell you t

am not aware of," said the

ow

spect

hy

l tell

such an expression of dignity, of self-command and of defiance even, that the bishop felt the electric

ersing with you I endanger my life. Little value as it ha

his is why I suspected they had k

ed to call y

father, but whose son

d you to s

respectful for a friend, he was

mis, "have no intentio

e gentleman attached to my person taught me everything he knew himself - mathematics, a little geometry, astronomy, fencing and riding. Every morning I went through military exercises, and practiced on horseback. Well, one morning during the summer, it be

, is eight

t I have ceased

your tutor tell you, to

d no one but myself to look to; and that nobody either did, or ever would, take any interest in me. I was, then, in the hall I have spoken of, asleep from fatigue with long fenc

said Aramis. "Cont

' The windows of the hall looked into the court; the shutters were closed; but through a chink in them I saw my tutor draw near a large well, which was almost directly under the windows of

ray you," s

t her, took her by the arm, and drew her quickly towards the edge; after which,

urself,' said Perronnett

do you see that letter?' point

etter?'

down there; the last

r my father, he who was continually recommending me m

t showing more astonishment than at seeing this lette

o, being open, a puff of air came suddenly and carried off this paper - this letter of her majesty's; I darted af

en into the well, 'tis all the same as if it was burnt; and

ho came every month was the

old gentleman; 'but this letter contain

count of the accident, and the queen will no do

want to keep this letter instead of giving it up like the rest, so as to have a hold over her. She is so distrustful

st impercep

they are both so suspicious

name they gave me,

g,' said Dame Perronnette, 's

son who goes down may read t

llager who cannot read, and

ant for which we risk a man's life? However, you have given me an idea, Dame P

ng enough to reach down, while she went in search of some stout-hearted youth, whom she was to persuade that a jewel had fallen into the well, and that this jewel was wrapped

l be already effaced by that

she will see at once that we have not betrayed her; and consequently, as we s

raced upon the letter the queen had touched. Then, scarcely knowing what I was about, and urged on by one of those instinctive impulses which drive men to destruction, I lowered the cord from the windlass of the well to within about three feet of the water, leaving the bucket dangling, at the same time taking infinite pains not to disturb that coveted letter, which was beginning to change its white tint for the hue of chrysoprase - proof enough that it was sinking - and then, with the rope weltering in my hands, slid down into the abyss. When I saw myself hanging over the dark pool, when I saw the sky lessening above my head, a cold shudder came over me, a chill fear got the better of me, I was seized with giddiness, and the hair rose on my head; but my strong will still reigned supreme over all the terror and disquietude. I gained the water, and at once plunged into it, holding on by one hand, while I immersed the other and seized the dear letter, which, alas! cam

read therein, monseigneur?" a

ity, was far better than a servant; and also to perceived that I must myself be high-born, since the queen, Anne of Austr

appened?" a

so dried by the sun as to prevent Dame Perronnette spying that my garments were moist; and, lastly, that I was seized with a violent fever, owing to the chill and the excitement of my discovery, an at

ramis, "now

dy and gentleman, not daring to keep the occurrence secret, w

s, "you were arrested and

you

ttendants d

la

ead, but see what can be done with the

epea

y desire fo

told

tion, sorrow,

man made

Aramis, "why a

answered the prisoner, "and that

over his countenance. It was evident that he had reached the crisis in

is it?

ed there were neither loo

their meaning?" asked the young man;

jects; so that, for instance, you may see in them your o

ass nor a mirror in the hou

thing of the kind here, either," he said;

what

u were instructed in mathematics, astronomy, fencing,

principal deeds of the king, St. Louis

that

y ne

ce of history, which reflects the past. Since your imprisonment, books have been forbidden you; so that you are unacquainted with

," said the

during the last twenty-three or twenty-four years; that is, from the p

man resumed his seriou

ho was the son

now who his s

ow

another of 1612, bearing that of Louis XIII. So I presumed that, there

know that the last reignin

d the youth, sl

uble of the times and the dread struggle that his minister Richelieu had to maintain against the

now

hs heavily on princes, who desire to leave behind them more than

die childless?" asked

e should be the last of his race. This idea had reduced him to t

soner t

, "that Louis XIII.'s wife

young man, without re

vent. There was great joy at the intelligence, and all prayed for her

ut to hear," said Aramis, "an account which few indeed could now avouch; for it refers to a

me this secret?"

not know that I ought to risk this secret by intrus

you, m

had show the new-born child to the nobility and people, and was sitting gayly down to table, to celebra

cquaintance with affairs than he had owned to

inger; "Permit me t

ighed impatien

a second son, whom Dame Perronnette

tte!" murmured

nger happiness that his face expressed, but something akin to terror. The birth of twins changed into bitterness the joy to which that of an onl

now

ound for doubting whether the son that first makes his ap

cry, and became whiter than the c

cond might dispute the first's claim to seniority, which had been recognized only two hours before; and so this second son, relying on party interests and

- I understand!" mu

shamefully parted from his brother, shamefully sequestered, is buried in profound obscurity; this is why that sec

ast him off," cried the pri

n, "the lady in the black dre

ambition, and, perhaps, even the thirst of vengeance; except you, monsieur, who, if you are the man to whom I ex

asked

XIV., who at this moment reig

n enamel, on which Louis was depicted life-like, with a handsome, lofty mien.

"here is a mirror." Aramis left the

, eagerly comparing the likeness of Louis wi

nk of it?" at le

eplied the captive; "the ki

significantly upon the prisoner, "I demand to know which of these two

one, who is not in prison; and who, on the other hand, can cause others to

king, mark me, will, if you desire it, be the one that, quitting his dungeon,

ieur," broke in the

ght you all the proofs of your birth; consult them; satisf

it is imp

brothers excluded from the throne should be always princes void of courage and honesty, as

"my uncle Gaston 'conspired against hi

for no other reason.

riends - devo

so as I a

l, what did he

the king's brother is sacred and inviolable - but his liberty, he sacrificed the lives of all his friends, one after a

her by weakness or treachery

h, in princes, is

world - do you believe it possible that such a one could assist those of his friends who should attempt to serve him?" And as Aramis was about to reply, the young man suddenly cried out, with a

nor to offer myself t

e not think of aught beyond these prison-walls, which so grimly confine me

high birth, you still remain poor-spirited in body and soul, I will comply with your desire, I will depart,

tter for you to have reflected, before telling me all th

sire to do,

ing our words in the curtains of this miserable bed; you give me glimpses of power absolute whilst I hear the footsteps of the every-watchful jailer in the corridor - that step which, after all, makes you t

give you all this, monseigneur, a

ts to every door, cannon and soldiery at every barrier. How will you overcome

u get the note which anno

jailer for such a

t one turnkey, we

ossible so to conceal him that the king's people shall not again ensnare him; possib

!" said Aram

ust pass a life of war and hatred, how can you cause me to prevail in those combats - render me invulnerable by my enemies? Ah! monsieur, reflect on all this; place me, tomorrow, in some dark cavern at a mountain's base; yield me the delight of hearing in freedom so

ment's reflection, "I admire the firm, sound sense which dictat

pressing his icy hands upon his clammy brow, "do not play wit

sh you to be a king for

t inspired by the word; "ah! with what, t

to become the most powerful monarch in Christendom, you will have promoted the interests of

mer

than powerful

in you

ear before Heaven, on that day that I s

my br

ee his fate. Do

rish in a dungeon? No, no

h the b

far from mankind, deprived of every joy. I will make you sit down beside me; I will buckle round your waist our father's sword. Will you take advantage of this reconciliation to put down or restrain me? Will you employ that sword to spill my bloo

ave kept your wo

w - now that I have g

anner, mon

resemblance that Heaven h

our mother committed a crime in rendering those different in happiness and fortune whom nature created so startling

ch you

place on your brother's throne,

prison, especially it would be so for one who

ou may desire; and if it seems good to you, after pu

e you aware of one

e, my p

hing further from you till

ess that I should only have the p

d w

prince leaves the

ill you give me

coming to

urs

h me, or if in my absence you are compelled to

a word of this to any on

is bowed very low. The

of my enemies; if from our conference, in which you have sounded the depths of my mind, anything worse than captivity result, that is to say, if death befall me

he results ere you j

memory of man, and confer luster on my race by deeds of valor, or by solid benefits bestowed upon my people; if, from my present depths of sorrow, aided by your generous hand, I raise myself to the very height of honor, then to you, whom

joy and admiration. It is not you who will have to thank me, but rather the nation whom you will render happy, the posterity wh

nd to Aramis, who sank up

ur future king," said he. "When I see yo

more strain on my life - my heart would break! Oh, monsieur, how small is my prison - how low the window - how narrow

the door. The jailer came to open it with Baisemeaux, who, devoured by fear and uneasiness, was beginning, in spite of himself,

ieve that a compulsory recluse, a man as though in the very jaws of de

verwhelmed him seemed to double the weight of the walls. As soon as they reached

eplied Ba

ipt for one hundred and fifty t

," added the poor governor, with a sigh, ta

e receipt,"

," returned Baisemeaux

; it said nothing about receiving the money," r

th joy and surprise at this regal present so liberally bestowed