Raoul quitted the Palais-Royal full of ideas that admittedno delay in execution. He mounted his horse in thecourtyard, and followed the road to Blois, while themarriage festivities of Monsieur and the princess of Englandwere being celebrated with exceeding animation by thecourtiers, but to the despair of De Guiche and Buckingham.Raoul lost no time on the road, and in sixteen hours hearrived at Blois. As he traveled along, he marshaled hisarguments in the most becoming manner. Fever also is anargument that cannot be answered, and Raoul had an attack.Athos was in his study, making additions to his memoirs,when Raoul entered, accompanied by Grimaud. Keen-sighted andpenetrating, a mere glance at his son told him thatsomething extraordinary had befallen him.

"You seem to come on a matter of importance," said he toRaoul, after he had embraced him, pointing to a seat.

"Yes, monsieur," replied the young man; "and I entreat youto give me the same kind attention that has never yet failedme."

"Speak, Raoul."

"I present the case to you, monsieur, free from all preface,for that would be unworthy of you. Mademoiselle de laValliere is in Paris as one of Madame's maids of honor. Ihave pondered deeply on the matter; I love Mademoiselle dela Valliere above everything; and it is not proper to leaveher in a position where her reputation, her virtue even, maybe assailed. It is my wish, therefore, to marry her,monsieur, and I have come to solicit your consent to mymarriage."

While this communication was being made to him, Athosmaintained the profoundest silence and reserve. Raoul, whohad begun his address with an assumption of self-possession,finished it by allowing a manifest emotion to escape him atevery word. Athos fixed upon Bragelonne a searching look,overshadowed indeed by a slight sadness.

"You have reflected well upon it?" he inquired.

"Yes, monsieur."

"I believe you are already acquainted with my viewsrespecting this alliance?"

"Yes, monsieur," replied Raoul, in a low tone of voice, "butyou added, that if I persisted - - "

"You do persist, then?"

Bragelonne stammered out an almost unintelligible assent.

"Your passion," continued Athos, tranquilly, "must indeed bevery great, since, notwithstanding my dislike to this union,you persist in wishing it."

Raoul passed his trembling hand across his forehead toremove the perspiration that collected there. Athos lookedat him, and his heart was touched by pity. He rose and said,- -

"It is no matter. My own personal feelings are not to betaken into consideration since yours are concerned; you needmy assistance; I am ready to give it. Tell me what youwant."

"Your kind indulgence, first of all, monsieur," said Raoul,taking hold of his hand.

"You have mistaken my feelings, Raoul, I have more than mereindulgence for you in my heart."

Raoul kissed as devotedly as a lover could have done thehand he held in his own.

"Come, come," said Athos, "I am quite ready; what do youwish me to sign?"

"Nothing whatever, monsieur. only it would be very kind ifyou would take the trouble to write to the king to whom Ibelong, and solicit his majesty's permission for me to marryMademoiselle de la Valliere."

"Well thought, Raoul! After, or rather before myself, youhave a master to consult, that master being the king; it isloyal in you to submit yourself voluntarily to this doubleproof; I will grant your request without delay, Raoul."

The count approached the window, and leaning out, called toGrimaud, who showed his head from an arbor covered withjasmine, which he was occupied in trimming.

"My horses, Grimaud," continued the count.

"Why this order, monsieur?" inquired Raoul.

"We shall set off in a few hours."

"Whither?"

"For Paris."

"Paris, monsieur?"

"Is not the king at Paris?"

"Certainly."

"Well, ought we not to go there?"

"Yes, monsieur," said Raoul, almost alarmed by this kindcondescension. "I do not ask you to put yourself to suchinconvenience, and a letter merely - - "

"You mistake my position, Raoul; it is not respectful that asimple gentleman, such as I am, should write to hissovereign. I wish to speak, I ought to speak, to the king,and I will do so. We will go together, Raoul."

"You overpower me with your kindness, monsieur."

"How do you think his majesty is affected?"

"Towards me, monsieur?"

"Yes."

"Excellently well disposed."

"You know that to be so?" continued the count.

"The king has himself told me so."

"On what occasion?"

"Upon the recommendation of M. d'Artagnan, I believe, and onaccount of an affair in the Place de Greve, when I had thehonor to draw my sword in the king's service. I have reasonto believe that, vanity apart, I stand well with hismajesty."

"So much the better."

"But I entreat you, monsieur," pursued Raoul, "not tomaintain towards me your present grave and serious manner.Do not make me bitterly regret having listened to a feelingstronger than anything else."

"That is the second time you have said so, Raoul; it wasquite unnecessary, you require my formal consent, and youhave it. We need talk no more on the subject, therefore.Come and see my new plantations, Raoul."

The young man knew very well, that, after the expression ofhis father's wish, no opportunity of discussion was lefthim. He bowed his head, and followed his father into thegarden. Athos slowly pointed out to him the grafts, thecuttings, and the avenues he was planting. This perfectrepose of manner disconcerted Raoul extremely; the affectionwith which his own heart was filled seemed so great that thewhole world could hardly contain it. How, then, could hisfather's heart remain void, and closed to its influence?Bragelonne, therefore, collecting all his courage, suddenlyexclaimed, - -

"It is impossible, monsieur, you can have any reason toreject Mademoiselle de la Valliere? In Heaven's name, she isso good, so gentle and pure, that your mind, so perfect inits penetration, ought to appreciate her accordingly. Doesany secret repugnance, or any hereditary dislike, existbetween you and her family?"

"Look, Raoul, at that beautiful lily of the valley," saidAthos; "observe how the shade and the damp situation suitit, particularly the shadow which that sycamore-tree castsover it, so that the warmth, and not the blazing heat of thesun, filters through its leaves."

Raoul stopped, bit his lips, and then with the bloodmantling in his face, he said, courageously, - "One word ofexplanation, I beg, monsieur. You cannot forget that yourson is a man."

"In that case," replied Athos, drawing himself up withsternness, "prove to me that you are a man, for you do notshow yourself a son. I begged you to wait the opportunity offorming an illustrious alliance. I would have obtained awife for you from the first ranks of the rich nobility. Iwish you to be distinguished by the splendor which glory andfortune confer, for nobility of descent you have already."

"Monsieur," exclaimed Raoul, carried away by a firstimpulse, "I was reproached the other day for not knowing whomy mother was."

Athos turned pale; then, knitting his brows like thegreatest of all the heathen deities: - "I am waiting tolearn the reply you made," he demanded, in an imperiousmanner.

"Forgive me! oh, forgive me," murmured the young man,sinking at once from the lofty tone he had assumed.

"What was your reply, monsieur?" inquired the count,stamping his feet upon the ground.

"Monsieur, my sword was in my hand immediately, my adversaryplaced himself on guard, I struck his sword over thepalisade, and threw him after it."

"Why did you suffer him to live?"

"The king has prohibited duelling, and, at that moment, Iwas an ambassador of the king."

"Very well," said Athos, "but all the greater reason Ishould see his majesty."

"What do you intend to ask him?"

"Authority to draw my sword against the man who hasinflicted this injury upon me."

"If I did not act as I ought to have done, I beg you toforgive me."

"Did I reproach you, Raoul?"

"Still, the permission you are going to ask from the king?"

"I will implore his majesty to sign your marriage-contract,but on one condition."

"Are conditions necessary with me, monsieur? Command, andyou shall be obeyed."

"On one condition, I repeat," continued Athos; "that youtell me the name of the man who spoke of your mother in thatway."

"What need is there that you should know his name; theoffense was directed against myself, and the permission onceobtained from his majesty, to revenge it is my affair."

"Tell me his name, monsieur."

"I will not allow you to expose yourself.

"Do you take me for a Don Diego? His name, I say."

"You insist upon it?"

"I demand it."

"The Vicomte de Wardes."

"Very well," said Athos, tranquilly, "I know him. But ourhorses are ready, I see; and, instead of delaying ourdeparture for a couple of hours, we will set off at once.Come, monsieur."