Chapter 26 - Page 2

certain.”

“M. Fouquet is an honorable man.”

“And I am a fool for having so ill judged him,” said Aramis. “Oh, the wisdom of man! Oh, a vast millstone which grinds a world, and which is one day stopped by a grain of sand which has fallen, no one knows how, in its wheels!”

“Say by a diamond, Aramis. But the thing is done. How do you think of acting?”

“I am taking away Porthos. The King will never believe that that worthy man has acted innocently. He never can believe that Porthos has thought he was serving the King, while acting as he has done. His head would pay for my fault. It shall not be so.”

“You are taking him away, whither?”

“To Belle-Isle, at first. That is an impregnable place of refuge. Then I have the sea, and a vessel to pass over into England, where I have many relatives.”

“You? in England?”

“Yes; or else in Spain, where I have still more.”

“But our excellent Porthos! you ruin him, for the King will confiscate all his property.”

“All is provided for. I know how, when once in Spain, to reconcile myself with Louis XIV, and restore Porthos to favor.”

“You have credit, seemingly, Aramis?” said Athos, with a discreet air.

“Much; and at the service of my friends.”

These words were accompanied by a warm pressure of the hand.

“Thank you,” replied the count.

“And while we are on that head,” said Aramis, “you also are a malcontent; you also, Raoul, have griefs to lay to the King. Follow our example; pass over into Belle-Isle. Then we shall see. I guarantee upon my honor that in a month there will be war between France and Spain on the subject of this son of Louis XIII, who is an Infante likewise, and whom France detains inhumanly. Now, as Louis XIV would have no inclination for a war on that subject, I will answer for a transaction, the result of which must bring greatness to Porthos and to me, and a duchy in France to you, who are already a grandee of Spain. Will you join us?”

“No; for my part I prefer having something to reproach the King with. It is a pride natural to my race to pretend to a superiority over royal races. Doing what you propose, I should become a dependent of the King; I should certainly be the gainer on that ground, but I should be a loser in my conscience. No, thank you!”

“Then, give me two things, Athos,- your absolution.”

“Oh! I give it you if you have really wished to avenge the weak and the oppressed against the oppressor.”

“That is sufficient for me,” said Aramis, with a blush which was lost in the obscurity of the night. “And