Part 57 (1/2)
All at once Monk perceived the two gentlemen, who held themselves aside until the crowd had die towards them, so that he surprised them in theof me?” sad he, with a s likewise of God”
Monk reflected for a ayly: ”Gentle likewise, if you please; for you have, I believe, an audience of his majesty”
”At nine o'clock,” said Athos
”At ten o'clock,” said D'Artagnan
”Let us go into this closet at once,” replied Monk, n to his two companions to precede hi this discussion so characteristic of the French, had returned to the center of the gallery
”Oh! ayety which, in spite of so rief and so many crosses, he had never lost ”My Frenchnan bowed
”Duke, conduct these gentlemen into my study I am at your service, messieurs,” added he in French And he promptly expedited his court, to return to his Frenchnan,” said he, as he entered his closet, ”I aht, at having the honor to salute your majesty in your own palace of St Ja to render ratitude for it If I did not fear to intrude upon the rights of our coeneral, I would offer you some post worthy of you near our person”
”Sire,” replied D'Artagnan, ”I have quitted the service of the king of France, ”
”Humph!” said Charles, ”I am sorry to hear that; I should like to do much for you; I like you very much”
”Sire--”
”But, let us see,” said Charles with a smile, ”if we cannot make you break your word Duke, assist me If you were offered, that is to say, if I offered you the chief conan bowed lower than before
”I should have the regret to refuse what your gracious entleman has but his word, and that word, as I have had the honor to tell yourof France”
”We shall say notowards Athos, and leaving D'Artagnan plunged in the deepest pangs of disappointment
”Ah! I said so!” s have always aus that which they knoill not accept, and in appearing generous without risk So be it!--triple fool that I was to have hoped for athis time, Charles took the hand of Athos ”Comte,” said he, ”you have been to me a second father; the services you have rendered to ht of a recoht of the Garter--that is an order which all the kings of Europe cannot bear; by the queen regent, Knight of the Holy Ghost--which is an order not less illustrious; I join to it that of the Golden Fleece sentof Spain, his father-in-law, gave two on the occasion of his e; but in return, I have a service to ask of you”
”Sire,” said Athos, with confusion, ”the Golden Fleece forof France is the only person in my country who enjoys that distinction?”
”I wish you to be in your country and all others the equal of all those whons have honored with their favor,” said Charles, drawing the chain from his neck; ”and I arave”
”It is unaccountably strange,” said D'Artagnan to himself, whilst his friend, on his knees, received the e conferred on him--”it is almost incredible that I have always seen showers of prosperity fall upon all who surrounded me, and that not a drop ever reached h to make one tear one's hair, parole d'honneur!”
Athos rose from his knees, and Charles embraced hi, with a smile, ”pardon me, duke, I mean