Part 15 (1/2)

”You are the officer on duty, lieutenant of the musketeers, are you?”

”I have that honor,” replied the officer

”Monsieur, I ”

The lieutenant looked attentively at the unknown, and in that look, he saw all he wished to see--that is to say, a person of high distinction in an ordinary dress

”I do not suppose you to be mad,” replied he; ”and yet you seem to me to be in a condition to know, 's apartments in this manner without his consent”

”He will consent”

”Monsieur, per has retired this quarter of an hour; he iven”

”When he knoho I am, he will recall the word”

The officer was more and more surprised, more and more subdued

”If I consent to announce you, may I at least knohom to announce, monsieur?”

”You will announce His Majesty Charles II, King of England, Scotland, and Ireland”

The officer uttered a cry of astonishht be seen upon his pallid countenance one of the etic man endeavored to drive back to his heart

”Oh, yes, sire; in fact,” said he, ”I ought to have recognized you”

”You have seen my portrait, then?”

”No, sire”

”Or else you have seen me formerly at court, before I was driven from France?”

”No, sire, it is not even that”

”How then could you have recognized me, if you have never seen my portrait or my person?”

”Sire, I saw his majesty your father at a terrible moment”

”The day--”

”Yes”

A dark cloud passed over the brow of the prince; then, dashi+ng his hand across it, ”Do you see any difficulty in announcing me?” said he