16 THE MAN IN THE IKON MASK.

• ^I think I have spoken enough," answered the prisoner,
  • and that now it is your turn. I am weary."

Aramis gathered himself up, and a shade of deep solem- nity spread itself over his countenance. It was evident that he had reached the crisis in the part he had come to the prison to play.

• • One question," said Aramis.
  • Whatisit? Speak."
• ^In the house you inhabited there were neither looking-

glasses nor mirrors?"

• 'What are those two words, and what is their meaning?"

asked the young man. '^I have no sort of knowledge of them."

• 'They designate two pieces of furniture which reflect

objects; so that, for instance, you may see in them your own lineaments, as you see mine now, with the naked eye."

• • No; then there was neither a glass nor a mirror in the

house," answered the young man. Aramis looked round him. '*Nor is there here either," he said; "they have again taken the same precaution." To what end?" You will know directly. Now, you have told me that you were instructed in mathematics, astronomy, fencing, and riding; but you have not said a word about history." "My tutor sometimes related to me the principal deeds of the King St. Louis, King Francis I., and King Henry IV." "Is that all?" "Very nearly." •*This also was done by design, then; just as they de- prived you of mirrors, which reflect the present, so they left you in ignorance of history, which reflects the past. Since your imprisonment, books have been forbidden you; so that you are unacquainted with a number of facts, by means of which you would be able to reconstruct the shat- tered ediflce of your recollections and your hopes." "It is true," said the young man. "Listen, then; I will in a few words tell you what has passed in France during the last twenty-three or twenty- four years; that is, from the probable date of your birth; m a word, from the time that interests you." "Say on." And the young man resumed his serious and attentive attitude

"Do you Know wno was the son of Henry IV.?'*