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Ten Years Later
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"I have an hour to spare between cards and supper," said the king. "Is the Comte de la Fere at hand?"
"He is below, and awaits your majesty's permission."
"Let him come up at once," said the king, and five minutes afterwards Athos entered the presence of Louis XIV. He was received by the king with that gracious kindness of manner which Louis, with a tact beyond his years, reserved for the purpose of gaining those who were not to be conquered by ordinary favors. "Let me hope, comte," said the king, "that you have come to ask me for something."
"I will not conceal from your majesty," replied the comte, "that I am indeed come for that purpose."
"That is well," said the king, joyously.
"It is not for myself, sire."
"So much the worse; but, at least, I will do for your protege what you refuse to permit me to do for you."
"Your majesty encourages me. I have come to speak on behalf of the Vicomte de Bragelonne."
"It is the same as if you spoke on your own behalf, comte."
"Not altogether so, sire. I am desirous of obtaining from your majesty that which I cannot ask for myself. The vicomte thinks of marrying."
"He is still very young; but that does not matter. He is an eminently distinguished man, I will choose a wife for him."
"He has already chosen one, sire, and only awaits your consent."
"It is only a question, then, of signing the marriage-contract?" Athos bowed. "Has he chosen a wife whose fortune and position accord with your own anticipations?"
Athos hesitated for a moment. "His affianced wife is of good birth, but has no fortune."
"That is a misfortune we can remedy."
"You overwhelm me with gratitude, sire; but your majesty will permit me to offer a remark?"
"Do so, comte."
"Your majesty seems to intimate an intention of giving a marriage-portion to this young lady."
"Certainly."
"I should regret, sire, if the step I have taken towards your majesty should be attended by this result."
"No false delicacy, comte; what is the bride's name?"
"Mademoiselle de la Baume le Blanc de la Valliere," said Athos, coldly.
"I seem to know that name," said the king, as if reflecting; "there was a Marquis de la Valliere."
"Yes, sire, it is his daughter."
"But he died, and his widow married again M. de Saint-Remy, I think, steward of the wager Madame's former household."
"Your majesty is correctly informed."
"More than that, the young lady has lately become one of the princess's maids of honor."
"Your majesty is better acquainted with her history than I am."
The king again reflected, and glancing at the comte's anxious countenance, said: "The young lady does not seem to me to be very pretty, comte."
"I am not quite sure," replied Athos.
"I have seen her, but she hardly struck me as being so."
"She seems to be a good and modest girl, but has little beauty, sire."
"Beautiful fair hair, however."
"I think so."
"And her blue eyes are tolerably good."
"Yes, sire."
"With regard to beauty, then, the match is but an ordinary one. Now for the money side of the question."
"Fifteen to twenty thousand francs dowry at the very outside, sire; the lovers are disinterested enough; for myself, I care little for money."
"For superfluity, you mean; but a needful amount is of importance. With fifteen thousand francs, without landed property, a woman cannot live at court. We will make up the deficiency; I will do it for De Bragelonne." The king again remarked the coldness with which Athos received the remark.
"Let us pass from the question of money to that of rank," said Louis XIV.; "the daughter of the Marquis de la Valliere, that is well enough; but there is that excellent Saint-Remy, who somewhat damages the credit of the family; and you, comte, are rather particular, I believe, about your own family."
"Sire, I no longer hold to anything but my devotion to your majesty."
The king again paused. "A moment, comte. You have surprised me in no little degree from the beginning of your conversation. You came to ask me to authorize a marriage, and you seem greatly disturbed in having to make the request. Nay, pardon me, comte, but I am rarely deceived, young as I am; for while with some persons I place my friendship at the disposal of my understanding, with others I call my distrust to my aid, by which my discernment is increased. I repeat that you do not prefer your request as though you wished it success."
"Well, sire, that is true."
"I do not understand you, then; refuse."
"Nay, sire; I love De Bragelonne with my whole heart; he is smitten with Mademoiselle de la Valliere, he weaves dreams of bliss for the future; I am not one who is willing to destroy the illusions of youth. This marriage is objectionable to me, but I implore your majesty to consent to it forthwith, and thus make Raoul happy."
"Tell me, comte, is she in love with him?"
"If your majesty requires me to speak candidly, I do not believe in Mademoiselle de la Valliere's affection; the delight at being at court, the honor of being in the service of Madame, counteract in her head whatever affection she may happen to have in her heart; it is a marriage similar to many others which already exist at court; but De Bragelonne wishes it, and so let it be."
"And yet you do not resemble those easy-tempered fathers who volunteer as stepping-stones for their children," said the king.
"I am determined enough against the viciously disposed, but not so against men of upright character. Raoul is suffering; he is in great distress of mind: his disposition, naturally light and cheerful, has become gloomy and melancholy. I do not wish to deprive your majesty of the services he may be able to render."
"I understand you," said the king; "and what is more, I understand your heart, too, comte."
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Последний отзыв
Книгу прочитать не могу, везде ЛитРес свой нос сунул, как и где скачать полную версию бесплатно!?!?