The Man in the Iron Mask

and

he softly scented air, as it was wafted in gentle gusts to his uplifted face. Crossing his arms on his chest, as if to control this new sensation of delight, he drank in delicious draughts of that mysterious air which interpenetrates at night the loftiest forests. The sky he was contemplating, the murmuring waters, the universal freshness - was not all this reality? Was not Aramis a madman to suppose that he had aught else to dream of in this world? Those exciting pictures of country life, so free from fears and troubles, the ocean of happy days that glitters incessantly before all young imaginations, are real allurements wherewith to fascinate a poor, unhappy prisoner, worn out by prison cares, emaciated by the stifling air of the Bastile. It was the picture, it will be remembered, drawn by Aramis, when he offered the thousand pistoles he had with him in the carriage to the prince, and the enchanted Eden which the deserts of Bas–Poitou hid from the eyes of the world. Such were the reflections of Aramis as he watched, with an anxiety impossible to describe, the silent progress of the emotions of Philippe, whom he perceived gradually becoming more and more absorbed in his meditations. The young prince was offering up an inward prayer to Heaven, to be divin

the crown of Franc

ision, monseigneu

t

vocab

ly at the bishop, as if to ask him if it were possible

en's character," said Aramis, bowing over Philippe's hand

place the dangers, or the obstacles we may meet with. That point is decided. The othe

tions, mon

ot do me the injustice to suppose that I think you have no interest in thi

monseigneur.

will t

ning - I mean

in you

e asked your high

o

me closely written notes, carefully drawn up, which will thoroughly acquaint yo

ed those

enti

them b

andoned captive of the Bastile? In a week's time it will not be requisite to further

will be a scholar represent

with your famil

l her sorrows, her painful mala

rother?" asked

tory you have so carefully portrayed. Monsieur, my brother, is a fine, dark young man, with a pale face; he does not love his wife, Henrietta, whom I, Louis XIV.

the latter," said Aramis; "she is sincerely attached to the actu

identity. She halts slightly in her gait; she writes a letter eve

know the

verses he composed for me, as well a

o you know yo

t enough, his hair covering his forehead, a large,

we need not disturb

you will not require me

at the remark, said, "You will

esson by heart, and with Heaven's assistance,

ward pair of eyes to d

the musketeers, M. d'

well say '

n box, to Charles II.; he who so faithfully served my mother; he to whom the crown of F

al everything; but be on your guard with him, for if he discovers our plot before it is reve

e about M. Fouquet; what do you w

gneur; and forgive me, if I seem to fai

do so, nay, more tha

I should very much regret for

you mean; oh! as far as he is concern

he whom I inten

e de la F

the son of a

w to rehabilitate his happiness. Tell me only one thing, Monsieur d'Herblay; do men, when they love, forget the treachery that has been

Valliere, finishes by forgetting the fault or crime of the woman he

ave you anything further

hat is

. Fouquet. What do you

in the capacity in which he has

is the first min

quite

I shall be, will, as a matter of cour

y will requi

one, and that

and by, but none so devoted, n

my first minis

or that would give rise to too m

grandmother, Marie de Medici, was simply bi

died my notes to great advantage; your amazi

ichelieu, by means of the queen's

hould not be appointed first minister until your roy

a matter of very trifling moment; you would not offend me if you were to ask more th

mething still further to

k! sp

e, or at the first illness he may experience. We will spare him the annoyance, because he is an agreeable and noble-hearted man; but we cannot save him from ill-health. So it is determined. When you shall have paid all M. Fouquet's debts, and restored the finances to a sound

looked at hi

erning France alone, unaided. He allowed two kings, King Louis XIII. and himself, to be seated on the self-

?" said the young

ing governing by your brain and by your sword; you will have in the government of the state no more than you will be able to manage unaided; I should only interfere with you. Besides, our friendship ought never to be, I do not say impaired, but in any degree affected, by a secret thought. I shall have given you the throne of France, you will confer on me the throne of St. Peter. Whenever your loyal, firm, and mailed hand should joined in ties of intimate association the hand of a pope such as I shall be, neither C

d'Herblay, you shall be cardinal, and when cardinal, my prime minister; and then you will point out to me the necessary

dder immediately above me; I shall always hold myself sufficiently aloof from you to escape incurring your jealousy, sufficiently near to sustain your personal advantage and to watch over your friendship. All

ear brother -

inger. Having retired to rest a crowned sovereign, he will awake a captive. Alone you will rule fr

e is my hand on it,

lly. We will embrace each other on the day we shall

wards me, more than great, more than skillful, more than

tected in his own heart an emotion hitherto unknown; but this impression

iage, which sped rapidly along the road l