Athos had not failed to send early to Aramis and had givenhis letter to Blaisois, the only serving-man whom he hadleft. Blaisois found Bazin donning his beadle's gown, hisservices being required that day at Notre Dame.

Athos had desired Blaisois to try to speak to Aramishimself. Blaisois, a tall, simple youth, who understoodnothing but what he was expressly told, asked, therefore forthe Abbe d'Herblay, and in spite of Bazin's assurances thathis master was not at home, he persisted in such a manner asto put Bazin into a passion. Blaisois seeing Bazin inclerical guise, was a little discomposed at his denials andwanted to pass at all risks, believing too, that the manwith whom he had to do was endowed with the virtues of hiscloth, namely, patience and Christian charity.

But Bazin, still the servant of a musketeer, when once theblood mounted to his fat cheeks, seized a broomstick andbegan belaboring Blaisois, saying:

"You have insulted the church, my friend, you have insultedthe church!"

At this moment Aramis, aroused by this unusual disturbance,cautiously opened the door of his room; and Blaisois,looking reproachfully at the Cerberus, drew the letter fromhis pocket and presented it to Aramis.

"From the Comte de la Fere," said Aramis. "All right." Andhe retired into his room without even asking the cause of somuch noise.

Blaisois returned disconsolate to the Hotel of the Grand RoiCharlemagne and when Athos inquired if his commission wasexecuted, he related his adventure.

"You foolish fellow!" said Athos, laughing. "And you did nottell him that you came from me?"

"No, sir."

At ten o'clock Athos, with his habitual exactitude, waswaiting on the Pont du Louvre and was almost immediatelyjoined by Lord de Winter.

They waited ten minutes and then his lordship began to fearAramis was not coming to join them.

"Patience," said Athos, whose eyes were fixed in thedirection of the Rue du Bac, "patience; I see an abbecuffing a man, then bowing to a woman; it must be Aramis."

It was indeed Aramis. Having run against a young shopkeeperwho was gaping at the crows and who had splashed him, Aramiswith one blow of his fist had distanced him ten paces.

At this moment one of his penitents passed, and as she wasyoung and pretty Aramis took off his cap to her with hismost gracious smile.

A most affectionate greeting, as one can well believe tookplace between him and Lord de Winter.

"Where are we going?" inquired Aramis; "are we going tofight, perchance? I carry no sword this morning and cannotreturn home to procure one."

"No," said Lord de Winter, "we are going to pay a visit toHer Majesty the Queen of England."

"Oh, very well," replied Aramis; then bending his face downto Athos's ear, "what is the object of this visit?"continued he.

"Nay, I know not; some evidence required from us, perhaps."

"May it not be about that cursed affair?" asked Aramis, "inwhich case I do not greatly care to go, for it will be topocket a lecture; and since it is my function to give themto others I am rather averse to receiving them myself."

"If it were so," answered Athos, "we should not be takenthere by Lord de Winter, for he would come in for his share;he was one of us."

"You're right; yes, let us go."

On arriving at the Louvre Lord de Winter entered first;indeed, there was but one porter there to receive them atthe gate.

It was impossible in daylight for the impoverished state ofthe habitation grudging charity had conceded to anunfortunate queen to pass unnoticed by Athos, Aramis, andeven the Englishman. Large rooms, completely stripped offurniture, bare walls upon which, here and there, shone theold gold moldings which had resisted time and neglect,windows with broken panes (impossible to close), no carpets,neither guards nor servants: this is what first met the eyesof Athos, to which he, touching his companion's elbow,directed his attention by his glances.

"Mazarin is better lodged," said Aramis.

"Mazarin is almost king," answered Athos; "Madame Henriettais almost no longer queen."

"If you would condescend to be clever, Athos," observedAramis, "I really do think you would be wittier than poorMonsieur de Voiture."

Athos smiled.

The queen appeared to be impatiently expecting them, for atthe first slight noise she heard in the hall leading to herroom she came herself to the door to receive these courtiersin the corridors of Misfortune.

"Enter. You are welcome, gentlemen," she said.

The gentlemen entered and remained standing, but at a motionfrom the queen they seated themselves. Athos was calm andgrave, but Aramis was furious; the sight of such royalmisery exasperated him and his eyes examined every new traceof poverty that presented itself.

"You are examining the luxury I enjoy," said the queen,glancing sadly around her.

"Madame," replied Aramis, "I must ask your pardon, but Iknow not how to hide my indignation at seeing how a daughterof Henry IV. is treated at the court of France."

"Monsieur Aramis is not an officer?" asked the queen of Lordde Winter.

"That gentleman is the Abbe d'Herblay," replied he.

Aramis blushed. "Madame," he said, "I am an abbe, it istrue, but I am so against my will. I never had a vocationfor the bands; my cassock is fastened by one button only,and I am always ready to become a musketeer once more. Thismorning, being ignorant that I should have the honor ofseeing your majesty, I encumbered myself with this dress,but you will find me none the less a man devoted to yourmajesty's service, in whatever way you may see fit to useme."

"The Abbe d'Herblay," resumed De Winter, "is one of thosegallant musketeers formerly belonging to His Majesty KingLouis XIII., of whom I have spoken to you, madame." Thenturning to Athos, he continued, "And this gentleman is thatnoble Comte de la Fere, whose high reputation is so wellknown to your majesty."

"Gentlemen," said the queen, "a few years ago I had aroundme ushers, treasures, armies; and by the lifting of a fingerall these were busied in my service. To-day, look aroundyou, and it may astonish you, that in order to accomplish aplan which is dearer to me than life I have only Lord deWinter, the friend of twenty years, and you, gentlemen, whomI see for the first time and whom I know but as mycountrymen."

"It is enough," said Athos, bowing low, "if the lives ofthree men can purchase yours, madame."

"I thank you, gentlemen. But hear me," continued she. "I amnot only the most miserable of queens, but the most unhappyof mothers, the most wretched of wives. My children, two ofthem, at least, the Duke of York and the Princess Elizabeth,are far away from me, exposed to the blows of the ambitiousand our foes; my husband, the king, is leading in England sowretched an existence that it is no exaggeration to averthat he seeks death as a thing to be desired. Hold!gentlemen, here is the letter conveyed to me by Lord deWinter. Read it."

Obeying the queen, Athos read aloud the letter which we havealready seen, in which King Charles demanded to know whetherthe hospitality of France would be accorded him.

"Well?" asked Athos, when he had closed the letter.

"Well," said the queen, "it has been refused."

The two friends exchanged a smile of contempt.

"And now," said Athos, "what is to be done? I have the honorto inquire from your majesty what you desire Monsieurd'Herblay and myself to do in your service. We are ready."

"Ah, sir, you have a noble heart!" exclaimed the queen, witha burst of gratitude; whilst Lord de Winter turned to herwith a glance which said, "Did I not answer for them?"

"But you, sir?" said the queen to Aramis.

"I, madame," replied he, "follow Monsieur de la Ferewherever he leads, even were it on to death, withoutdemanding wherefore; but when it concerns your majesty'sservice, then," added he, looking at the queen with all thegrace of former days, "I precede the count."

"Well, then, gentlemen," said the queen, "since it is thus,and since you are willing to devote yourselves to theservice of a poor princess whom the whole world hasabandoned, this is what is required to be done for me. Theking is alone with a few gentlemen, whom he fears to loseevery day; surrounded by the Scotch, whom he distrusts,although he be himself a Scotchman. Since Lord de Winterleft him I am distracted, sirs. I ask much, too much,perhaps, for I have no title to request it. Go to England,join the king, be his friends, protectors, march to battleat his side, and be near him in his house, whereconspiracies, more dangerous than the perils of war, arehatching every day. And in exchange for the sacrifice thatyou make, gentlemen, I promise - not to reward you, Ibelieve that word would offend you - but to love you as asister, to prefer you, next to my husband and my children,to every one. I swear it before Heaven."

And the queen raised her eyes solemnly upward.

"Madame," said Athos, "when must we set out?"

"You consent then?" exclaimed the queen, joyfully.

"Yes, madame; only it seems to me that your majesty goes toofar in engaging to load us with a friendship so far aboveour merit. We render service to God, madame in serving aprince so unfortunate, a queen so virtuous. Madame, we areyours, body and soul."

"Oh, sirs," said the queen, moved even to tears, "this isthe first time for five years I have felt the least approachto joy or hope. God, who can read my heart, all thegratitude I feel, will reward you! Save my husband! Save theking, and although you care not for the price that is placedupon a good action in this world, leave me the hope that weshall meet again, when I may be able to thank you myself. Inthe meantime, I remain here. Have you anything to ask of me?From this moment I become your friend, and since you areengaged in my affairs I ought to occupy myself in yours."

"Madame," replied Athos, "I have only to ask your majesty'sprayers."

"And I," said Aramis, "I am alone in the world and have onlyyour majesty to serve."

The queen held out her hand, which they kissed, and she saidin a low tone to De Winter:

"If you need money, my lord, separate the jewels I havegiven you; detach the diamonds and sell them to some Jew.You will receive for them fifty or sixty thousand francs;spend them if necessary, but let these gentlemen be treatedas they deserve, that is to say, like kings."

The queen had two letters ready, one written by herself, theother by her daughter, the Princess Henrietta. Both wereaddressed to King Charles. She gave the first to Athos andthe other to Aramis, so that should they be separated bychance they might make themselves known to the king; afterwhich they withdrew.

At the foot of the staircase De Winter stopped.

"Not to arouse suspicions, gentlemen," said he, "go your wayand I will go mine, and this evening at nine o'clock we willassemble again at the Gate Saint Denis. We will travel onhorseback as far as our horses can go and afterward we cantake the post. Once more, let me thank you, my good friends,both in my own name and the queen's."

The three gentlemen then shook hands, Lord de Winter takingthe Rue Saint Honore, and Athos and Aramis remainingtogether.

"Well," said Aramis, when they were alone, "what do youthink of this business, my dear count?"

"Bad," replied Athos, "very bad."

"But you received it with enthusiasm."

"As I shall ever receive the defense of a great principle,my dear D'Herblay. Monarchs are only strong by theassistance of the aristocracy, but aristocracy cannotsurvive without the countenance of monarchs. Let us, then,support monarchy, in order to support ourselves.

"We shall be murdered there," said Aramis. "I hate theEnglish - they are coarse, like every nation that swillsbeer."

"Would it be better to remain here," said Athos, "and take aturn in the Bastile or the dungeon of Vincennes for havingfavored the escape of Monsieur de Beaufort? I'faith, Aramis,believe me, there is little left to regret. We avoidimprisonment and we play the part of heroes; the choice iseasy."

"It is true; but in everything, friend, one must alwaysreturn to the same question - a stupid one, I admit, butvery necessary - have you any money?"

"Something like a hundred pistoles, that my farmer sent tome the day before I left Bragelonne; but out of that sum Iought to leave fifty for Raoul - a young man must liverespectably. I have then about fifty pistoles. And you?"

"As for me, I am quite sure that after turning out all mypockets and emptying my drawers I shall not find ten louisat home. Fortunately Lord de Winter is rich."

"Lord de Winter is ruined for the moment; Oliver Cromwellhas annexed his income resources."

"Now is the time when Baron Porthos would be useful."

"Now it is that I regret D'Artagnan."

"Let us entice them away."

"This secret, Aramis, does not belong to us; take my advice,then, and let no one into our confidence. And moreover, intaking such a step we should appear to be doubtful ofourselves. Let us regret their absence to ourselves for ourown sakes, but not speak of it."

"You are right; but what are you going to do until thisevening? I have two things to postpone."

"And what are they?"

"First, a thrust with the coadjutor, whom I met last nightat Madame de Rambouillet's and whom I found particular inhis remarks respecting me."

"Oh, fie - a quarrel between priests, a duel betweenallies!"

"What can I do, friend? he is a bully and so am I; hiscassock is a burden to him and I imagine I have had enoughof mine; in fact, there is so much resemblance between usthat I sometimes believe he is Aramis and I am thecoadjutor. This kind of life fatigues and oppresses me;besides, he is a turbulent fellow, who will ruin our party.I am convinced that if I gave him a box on the ear, such asI gave this morning to the little citizen who splashed me,it would change the appearance of things."

"And I, my dear Aramis," quietly replied Athos, "I think itwould only change Monsieur de Retz's appearance. Take myadvice, leave things just as they are; besides, you areneither of you now your own masters; he belongs to theFronde and you to the queen of England. So, if the secondmatter which you regret being unable to attend to is notmore important than the first - - "

"Oh! that is of the first importance."

"Attend to it, then, at once."

"Unfortunately, it is a thing that I can't perform at anytime I choose. It was arranged for the evening and no othertime will serve."

"I understand," said Athos smiling, "midnight."

"About that time."

"But, my dear fellow, those are things that bearpostponement and you must put it off, especially with sogood an excuse to give on your return - - "

"Yes, if I return."

"If you do not return, how does it concern you? Bereasonable. Come, you are no longer twenty years old."

"To my great regret, mordieu! Ah, if I were but twenty yearsold!"

"Yes," said Athos, "doubtless you would commit greatfollies! But now we must part. I have one or two visits tomake and a letter yet to write. Call for me at eight o'clockor shall I wait supper for you at seven?"

"That will do very well," said Aramis. "I have twenty visitsto make and as many letters to write."

They then separated. Athos went to pay a visit to Madame deVendome, left his name at Madame de Chevreuse's and wrotethe following letter to D'Artagnan:

"Dear Friend, - I am about to set off with Aramis onimportant business. I wished to make my adieux to you, buttime does not permit. Remember that I write to you now torepeat how much affection for you I still cherish.

"Raoul is gone to Blois and is ignorant of my departure;watch over him in my absence as much as you possibly can;and if by chance you receive no news of me three monthshence, tell him to open a packet which he will findaddressed to him in my bronze casket at Blois, of which Isend you now the key.

"Embrace Porthos from Aramis and myself. Adieu, perhapsfarewell."

At the hour agreed upon Aramis arrived; he was dressed as anofficer and had the old sword at his side which he had drawnso often and which he was more than ever ready to draw.

"By-the-bye," he said, "I think that we are decidedly wrongto depart thus, without leaving a line for Porthos andD'Artagnan."

"The thing is done, dear friend," said Athos; "I foresawthat and have embraced them both from you and myself."

"You are a wonderful man, my dear count," said Aramis; "youthink of everything."

"Well, have you made up your mind to this journey?"

"Quite; and now that I reflect about it, I am glad to leaveParis at this moment."

"And so am I," replied Athos; "my only regret is not havingseen D'Artagnan; but the rascal is so cunning, he might haveguessed our project."

When supper was over Blaisois entered. "Sir," said he, "hereis Monsieur d'Artagnan's answer."

"But I did not tell you there would be an answer, stupid!"said Athos.

"And I set off without waiting for one, but he called meback and gave me this;" and he presented a little leatherbag, plump and giving out a golden jingle.

Athos opened it and began by drawing forth a little note,written in these terms:

"My dear Count, - When one travels, and especially forthree months, one never has a superfluity of money. Now,recalling former times of mutual distress, I send you halfmy purse; it is money to obtain which I made Mazarin sweat.Don't make a bad use of it, I entreat you.

"As to what you say about not seeing you again, I believenot a word of it; with such a heart as yours - and such asword - one passes through the valley of the shadow ofdeath a dozen times, unscathed and unalarmed. Au revoir, notfarewell.

"It is unnecessary to say that from the day I saw Raoul Iloved him; nevertheless, believe that I heartily pray that Imay not become to him a father, however much I might beproud of such a son.

"Your

"D'Artagnan.

"P.S. - Be it well understood that the fifty louis which Isend are equally for Aramis as for you - for you asAramis."

Athos smiled, and his fine eye was dimmed by a tear.D'Artagnan, who had loved him so tenderly, loved him still,although a Mazarinist.

"There are the fifty louis, i'faith," said Aramis, emptyingthe purse on the table, all bearing the effigy of LouisXIII. "Well, what shall you do with this money, count? Shallyou keep it or send it back?"

"I shall keep it, Aramis, and even though I had no need ofit I still should keep it. What is offered from a generousheart should be accepted generously. Take twenty-five ofthem, Aramis, and give me the remaining twenty-five."

"All right; I am glad to see you are of my opinion. Therenow, shall we start?"

"When you like; but have you no groom?"

"No; that idiot Bazin had the folly to make himself verger,as you know, and therefore cannot leave Notre Dame.

"Very well, take Blaisois, with whom I know not what to do,since I already have Grimaud."

"Willingly," said Aramis.

At this moment Grimaud appeared at the door. "Ready," saidhe, with his usual curtness.

"Let us go, then," said Athos.

The two friends mounted, as did their servants. At thecorner of the Quai they encountered Bazin, who was runningbreathlessly.

"Oh, sir!" exclaimed he, "thank Heaven I have arrived intime. Monsieur Porthos has just been to your house and hasleft this for you, saying that the letter was important andmust be given to you before you left."

"Good," said Aramis, taking a purse which Bazin presented tohim. "What is this?"

"Wait, your reverence, there is a letter."

"You know I have already told you that if you ever call meanything but chevalier I will break every bone in your body.Give me the letter."

"How can you read?" asked Athos, "it is as dark as a coldoven."

"Wait," said Bazin, striking a flint, and setting afire atwisted wax-light, with which he started the church candles.Thus illumined, Aramis read the following epistle:

My dear D'Herblay, - I learned from D'Artagnan who hasembraced me on the part of the Comte de la Fere andyourself, that you are setting out on a journey which mayperhaps last two or three months; as I know that you do notlike to ask money of your friends I offer you some of my ownaccord. Here are two hundred pistoles, which you can disposeof as you wish and return to me when opportunity occurs. Donot fear that you put me to inconvenience; if I want money Ican send for some to any of my chateaux; at Bracieux alone,I have twenty thousand francs in gold. So, if I do not sendyou more it is because I fear you would not accept a largersum.

"I address you, because you know, that although I esteem himfrom my heart I am a little awed by the Comte de la Fere;but it is understood that what I offer you I offer him atthe same time.

"I am, as I trust you do not doubt, your devoted

"Du Vallon de Bracieux de Pierrefonds.

"Well," said Aramis, "what do you say to that?"

"I say, my dear D'Herblay, that it is almost sacrilege todistrust Providence when one has such friends, and thereforewe will divide the pistoles from Porthos, as we divided thelouis sent by D'Artagnan."

The division being made by the light of Bazin's taper, thetwo friends continued their road and a quarter of an hourlater they had joined De Winter at the Porte Saint Denis.