The day of his arrival, on returning from the Palais Royal,Athos, as we have seen, went straight to his hotel in theRue Saint-Honore. He there found the Vicomte de Bragelonnewaiting for him in his chamber, chatting with Grimaud. Itwas not an easy thing to talk with this old servant. Two menonly possessed the secret, Athos and D'Artagnan. The firstsucceeded, because Grimaud sought to make him speak himself;D'Artagnan, on the contrary, because he knew how to makeGrimaud talk. Raoul was occupied in making him describe thevoyage to England, and Grimaud had related it in all itsdetails, with a limited number of gestures and eight words,neither more nor less. He had, at first, indicated by anundulating movement of his hand, that his master and he hadcrossed the sea. "Upon some expedition?" Raoul had asked.

Grimaud by bending down his head had answered, "Yes."

"When monsieur le comte incurred much danger?" asked Raoul.

"Neither too much nor too little," was replied by a shrug ofthe shoulders.

"But, still, what sort of danger?" insisted Raoul.

Grimaud pointed to the sword; he pointed to the fire and toa musket that was hanging on the wall.

"Monsieur le comte had an enemy there, then?" cried Raoul.

"Monk," replied Grimaud.

"It is strange," continued Raoul, "that monsieur le comtepersists in considering me a novice, and not allowing me topartake the honor and danger of his adventure."

Grimaud smiled. It was at this moment Athos came in. Thehost was lighting him up the stairs, and Grimaud,recognizing the step of his master, hastened to meet him,which cut short the conversation. But Raoul was launched onthe sea of interrogatories, and did not stop. Taking bothhands of the comte, with warm, but respectful tenderness, - "How is it, monsieur," said he, "that you have set out upona dangerous voyage without bidding me adieu, withoutcommanding the aid of my sword, of myself, who ought to beyour support, now I have the strength; whom you have broughtup like a man? Ah! monsieur, can you expose me to the crueltrial of never seeing you again?"

"Who told you, Raoul," said the comte, placing his cloak andhat in the hands of Grimaud, who had unbuckled his sword,"who told you that my voyage was a dangerous one?"

"I," said Grimaud.

"And why did you do so?" said Athos, sternly.

Grimaud was embarrassed; Raoul came to his assistance, byanswering for him. "It is natural, monsieur that our goodGrimaud should tell me the truth in what concerns you. Bywhom should you be loved and supported, if not by me?"

Athos did not reply. He made a friendly motion to Grimaud,which sent him out of the room, he then seated himself in afauteuil, whilst Raoul remained standing before him.

"But is it true," continued Raoul, "that your voyage was anexpedition, and that steel and fire threatened you?"

"Say no more about that, vicomte," said Athos mildly. "I setout hastily, it is true: but the service of King Charles II.required a prompt departure. As to your anxiety, I thank youfor it, and I know that I can depend upon you. You have notwanted for anything, vicomte, in my absence, have you?"

"No, monsieur, thank you."

"I left orders with Blaisois to pay you a hundred pistoles,if you should stand in need of money."

"Monsieur, I have not seen Blaisois."

"You have been without money, then?"

"Monsieur, I had thirty pistoles left from the sale of thehorses I took in my last campaign, and M. le Prince had thekindness to allow me to win two hundred pistoles at hisplay-table three months ago."

"Do you play? I don't like that, Raoul."

"I never play, monsieur; it was M. le Prince who ordered meto hold his cards at Chantilly - one night when a couriercame to him from the king. I won, and M. le Prince commandedme to take the stakes."

"Is that a practice in the household, Raoul?" asked Athoswith a frown.

"Yes, monsieur; every week M. le Prince affords, upon oneoccasion or another, a similar advantage to one of hisgentlemen. There are fifty gentlemen in his highness'shousehold; it was my turn."

"Very well! You went into Spain, then?"

"Yes, monsieur, I made a very delightful and interestingjourney."

"You have been back a month, have you not?"

"Yes, monsieur."

"And in the course of that month?"

"In that month - - "

"What have you done?"

"My duty, monsieur."

"Have you not been home, to La Fere?"

Raoul colored. Athos looked at him with a fixed but tranquilexpression.

"You would be wrong not to believe me," said Raoul. "I feelthat I colored, and in spite of myself. The question you didme the honor to ask me is of a nature to raise in me muchemotion. I color, then, because I am agitated, not because Imeditate a falsehood."

"I know, Raoul, you never lie."

"No, monsieur."

"Besides, my young friend, you would be wrong; what I wantedto say - - "

"I know quite well, monsieur. You would ask me if I have notbeen to Blois?"

"Exactly so."

"I have not been there; I have not even seen the person towhom you allude."

Raoul's voice trembled as he pronounced these words. Athos,a sovereign judge in all matters of delicacy, immediatelyadded, "Raoul, you answer with a painful feeling; you areunhappy."

"Very, monsieur; you have forbidden me to go to Blois, or tosee Mademoiselle de la Valliere again." Here the young manstopped. That dear name, so delightful to pronounce, madehis heart bleed, although so sweet upon his lips.

"And I have acted rightly, Raoul," Athos hastened to reply."I am neither an unjust nor a barbarous father; I respecttrue love; but I look forward for you to a future - animmense future. A new reign is about to break upon us like afresh dawn. War calls upon a young king full of chivalricspirit. What is wanting to assist this heroic ardor is abattalion of young and free lieutenants who would rush tothe fight with enthusiasm and fall, crying: `Vive le Roi!'instead of `Adieu, my dear wife.' You understand that,Raoul. However brutal my reasoning may appear, I conjureyou, then, to believe me, and to turn away your thoughtsfrom those early days of youth in which you took up thishabit of love - days of effeminate carelessness, whichsoften the heart and render it incapable of consuming thosestrong, bitter draughts called glory and adversity.Therefore, Raoul, I repeat to you, you should see in mycounsel only the desire of being useful to you, only theambition of seeing you prosper. I believe you capable ofbecoming a remarkable man. March alone, and you will marchbetter, and more quickly."

"You have commanded, monsieur," replied Raoul, "and I obey."

"Commanded!" cried Athos. "Is it thus you reply to me? Ihave commanded you! Oh! you distort my words as youmisconceive my intentions. I do not command you; I requestyou."

"No, monsieur, you have commanded," said Raoul,persistently; "had you only requested me, your request iseven more effective than your order. I have not seenMademoiselle de la Valliere again."

"But you are unhappy! you are unhappy!" insisted Athos.

Raoul made no reply.

"I find you pale; I find you dull. The sentiment is strong,then?"

"It is a passion," replied Raoul.

"No - a habit."

"Monsieur, you know I have traveled much, that I have passedtwo years far away from her. A habit would yield to anabsence of two years, I believe; whereas, on my return, Iloved, not more, that was impossible, but as much.Mademoiselle de la Valliere is for me the one lady above allothers; but you are for me a god upon earth - to you Isacrifice everything."

"You are wrong," said Athos; "I have no longer any rightover you. Age has emancipated you; you no longer even standin need of my consent. Besides, I will not refuse my consentafter what you have told me. Marry Mademoiselle de laValliere, if you like."

Raoul was startled, but suddenly: "You are very kind,monsieur," said he, "and your concession excites my warmestgratitude, but I will not accept it."

"Then you now refuse?"

"Yes, monsieur."

"I will not oppose you in anything, Raoul."

"But you have at the bottom of your heart an idea againstthis marriage: it is not your choice."

"That is true."

"That is sufficient to make me resist: I will wait."

"Beware, Raoul! What you are now saying is serious."

"I know it is, monsieur; as I said, I will wait."

"Until I die?" said Athos, much agitated.

"Oh! monsieur," cried Raoul, with tears in his eyes, "is itpossible that you should wound my heart thus? I have nevergiven you cause of complaint!"

"Dear boy, that is true," murmured Athos, pressing his lipsviolently together to conceal the emotion of which he was nolonger master. "No, I will no longer afflict you; only I donot comprehend what you mean by waiting. Will you wait tillyou love no longer?"

"Ah! for that! - no, monsieur. I will wait till you changeyour opinion."

"I should wish to put the matter to a test, Raoul; I shouldlike to see if Mademoiselle de la Valliere will wait as youdo."

"I hope so, monsieur."

"But take care, Raoul! suppose she did not wait? Ah, you areso young, so confiding, so loyal! Women are changeable."

"You have never spoken ill to me of women, monsieur; youhave never had to complain of them; why should you doubt ofMademoiselle de la Valliere?"

"That is true," said Athos, casting down his eyes; "I havenever spoken ill to you of women; I have never had tocomplain of them; Mademoiselle de la Valliere never gavebirth to a suspicion; but when we are looking forward, wemust go even to exceptions, even to improbabilities! If, Isay, Mademoiselle de la Valliere should not wait for you?"

"How, monsieur?"

"If she turned her eyes another way."

"If she looked favorably upon another, do you mean,monsieur?" said Raoul, pale with agony.

"Exactly."

"Well, monsieur, I would kill him," said Raoul, simply, "andall the men whom Mademoiselle de la Valliere should choose,until one of them had killed me, or Mademoiselle de laValliere had restored me her heart."

Athos started. "I thought," resumed he, in an agitatedvoice, "that you called me just now your god, your law inthis world."

"Oh!" said Raoul, trembling, "you would forbid me the duel?"

"Suppose I did forbid it, Raoul?"

"You would forbid me to hope, monsieur; consequently youwould not forbid me to die."

Athos raised his eyes toward the vicomte. He had pronouncedthese words with the most melancholy inflection, accompaniedby the most melancholy look. "Enough,"said Athos, after along silence, "enough of this subject, upon which we both gotoo far. Live as well as you are able, Raoul, perform yourduties, love Mademoiselle de; la Valliere; in a word, actlike a man, since you have attained the age of a man; onlydo not forget that I love you tenderly, and that you professto love me."

"Ah! monsieur le comte!" cried Raoul, pressing the hand ofAthos to his heart.

"Enough, dear boy, leave me; I want rest. A propos, M.d'Artagnan has returned from England with me; you owe him avisit."

"I will pay it, monsieur, with great pleasure. I loveMonsieur d'Artagnan exceedingly."

"You are right in doing so; he is a worthy man and a bravecavalier."

"Who loves you dearly."

"I am sure of that. Do you know his address?"

"At the Louvre, I suppose, or wherever the king is. Does henot command the musketeers?"

"No; at present M. d'Artagnan is absent on leave; he isresting for awhile. Do not, therefore, seek him at the postsof his service. You will hear of him at the house of acertain Planchet."

"His former lackey?"

"Exactly, turned grocer."

"I know; Rue des Lombards?"

"Somewhere thereabouts, or Rue des Arcis."

"I will find it, monsieur, - I will find it."

"You will say a thousand kind things to him, on my part, andask him to come and dine with me before I set out for LaFere."

"Yes, monsieur."

"Good-night, Raoul!"

"Monsieur, I see you wear an order I never saw you wearbefore; accept my compliments!"

"The Fleece! that is true. A bauble, my boy, which no longeramuses an old child like myself. Goodnight, Raoul!"