THE MAN IN THE IRON" MASK. 23

"In what manner, monseigneur?"

• ^What do you say as to the resemblance that Heaven has

given me to my brother?"

• 'I say that there was in that likeness a providential in-

struction which the king ought to have heeded; I say that your mother committed a crime in rendering those different in happiness and fortune whom nature created so similar in her womb; and I conclude that the object of punishment should be only to restore the equilibrium." '^By which you mean "

• ^That if I restore you to your place on your brother's

throne, he shall take yours in prison."

• ^Alas! there is so much suffering in prison, especially to

A man who has drunk so deeply of the cup of enjoyment."

• • Your royal highness will always be free to act as you

may desire; and if it seems good to you, after punishment, may pardon."

• • Grood. And now, are you aware of one thing, monsieur?"
  • Tell me, my prince."
• 'It is that I will hear nothing further from you till I am

elear of the Bastile." ^*I was going to say to your highness that I should only iiave the pleasure of seeing you once again." ^^Andthen?"

• ^The day when my prince leaves these gloomy walls."
  • Heavens! how will you give me notice of it?"

'^By myself coming to fetch you." '^Yourself?"

• • My prince, do not leave this chamber save with me, or

if in my absence you are compelled to do so, remember that I am not concerned in it."

• • And so I am not to speak a word of this to any one

whatever, save to you?" '^Save only to me." Aramis bowed very low; the prince offered his hand. "Monsieur," he said, in a tone that issued from his heart, "one word more, my last. If you have sought me for my destruction, if you are only a tool in the hands of my enemies, if from our conference, in which you have sounded the depths of my mind, anything worse than captivity re- sult, that is to say, if death befall me, still receive my bless- ing, for you wili have ended my troubles and given me re- pose from the tormenting fever that has preyed upon me these eight years. "Monseigneur, wait the result ere you judge me/' said

Aramis.