Fouquet was waiting with anxiety; he had already sent away many of his servants and friends, who, anticipating the usual hour of his ordinary receptions, had called at his door to inquire after him. Preserving the utmost silence respecting the danger which hung suspended by a hair above his head, he only asked them, as he did every one, indeed, who came to the door, where Aramis was. When he saw D’Artagnan return, and when he perceived the bishop1 of Vannes behind him, he could hardly restrain his delight; it was fully2 equal to his previous uneasiness. The mere3 sight of Aramis was a complete compensation to the surintendant for the unhappiness he had undergone in his arrest. The prelate was silent and grave; D’Artagnan completely bewildered by such an accumulation of events.
“Well, captain, so you have brought M. d’Herblay to me.”
“And something better still, monseigneur.”
“What is that?”
“Liberty.”
“I am free!”
“Yes; by the king’s order.”
Fouquet resumed his usual serenity4, that he might interrogate5 Aramis with a look.
“Oh! yes, you can thank M. l’eveque de Vannes,” pursued D’Artagnan, “for it is indeed to him that you owe the change that has taken place in the king.”
“Oh!” said Fouquet, more humiliated6 at the service than grateful at its success.
“But you,” continued D’Artagnan, addressing Aramis —“you, who have become M. Fouquet’s protector and patron, can you not do something for me?”
“Anything in the wide world you like, my friend,” replied the bishop, in his calmest tones.
“One thing only, then, and I shall be perfectly7 satisfied. How on earth did you manage to become the favorite of the king, you who have never spoken to him more than twice in your life?”
“From a friend such as you are,” said Aramis, “I cannot conceal9 anything.”
“Ah! very good, tell me, then.”
“Very well. You think that I have seen the king only twice, whilst the fact is I have seen him more than a hundred times; only we have kept it very secret, that is all.” And without trying to remove the color which at this revelation made D’Artagnan’s face flush scarlet10, Aramis turned towards M. Fouquet, who was as much surprised as the musketeer. “Monseigneur,” he resumed, “the king desires me to inform you that he is more than ever your friend, and that your beautiful fete, so generously offered by you on his behalf, has touched him to the very heart.”
And thereupon he saluted11 M. Fouquet with so much reverence12 of manner, that the latter, incapable13 of understanding a man whose diplomacy14 was of so prodigious15 a character, remained incapable of uttering a single syllable16, and equally incapable of thought or movement. D’Artagnan fancied he perceived that these two men had something to say to each other, and he was about to yield to that feeling of instinctive17 politeness which in such a case hurries a man towards the door, when he feels his presence is an inconvenience for others; but his eager curiosity, spurred on by so many mysteries, counseled him to remain.
Aramis thereupon turned towards him, and said, in a quiet tone, “You will not forget, my friend, the king’s order respecting those whom he intends to receive this morning on rising.” These words were clear enough, and the musketeer understood them; he therefore bowed to Fouquet, and then to Aramis — to the latter with a slight admixture of ironical18 respect — and disappeared.
No sooner had he left, than Fouquet, whose impatience19 had hardly been able to wait for that moment, darted20 towards the door to close it, and then returning to the bishop, he said, “My dear D’Herblay, I think it now high time you should explain all that has passed, for, in plain and honest truth, I do not understand anything.”
“We will explain all that to you,” said Aramis, sitting down, and making Fouquet sit down also. “Where shall I begin?”
“With this first of all. Why does the king set me at liberty?”
“You ought rather to ask me what his reason was for having you arrested.”
“Since my arrest, I have had time to think over it, and my idea is that it arises out of some slight feeling of jealousy21. My fete put M. Colbert out of temper, and M. Colbert discovered some cause of complaint against me; Belle–Isle, for instance.”
“No; there is no question at all just now of Belle–Isle.”
“What is it, then?”
“Do you remember those receipts for thirteen millions which M. de Mazarin contrived22 to steal from you?”
“Yes, of course!”
“Well, you are pronounced a public robber.”
“Good heavens!”
“Oh! that is not all. Do you also remember that letter you wrote to La Valliere?”
“Alas! yes.”
“And that proclaims you a traitor23 and a suborner.”
“Why should he have pardoned me, then?”
“We have not yet arrived at that part of our argument. I wish you to be quite convinced of the fact itself. Observe this well: the king knows you to be guilty of an appropriation24 of public funds. Oh! of course I know that you have done nothing of the kind; but, at all events, the king has seen the receipts, and he can do no other than believe you are incriminated.”
“I beg your pardon, I do not see —”
“You will see presently, though. The king, moreover, having read your love-letter to La Valliere, and the offers you there made her, cannot retain any doubt of your intentions with regard to that young lady; you will admit that, I suppose?”
“Certainly. Pray conclude.”
“In the fewest words. The king, we may henceforth assume, is your powerful, implacable, and eternal enemy.”
“Agreed. But am I, then, so powerful, that he has not dared to sacrifice me, notwithstanding his hatred25, with all the means which my weakness, or my misfortunes, may have given him as a hold upon me?”
“It is clear, beyond all doubt,” pursued Aramis, coldly, “that the king has quarreled with you — irreconcilably26.”
“But, since he has absolved27 me —”
“Do you believe it likely?” asked the bishop, with a searching look.
“Without believing in his sincerity28, I believe it in the accomplished29 fact.”
Aramis slightly shrugged30 his shoulders.
“But why, then, should Louis XIV. have commissioned you to tell me what you have just stated?”
“The king charged me with no message for you.”
“With nothing!” said the superintendent31, stupefied. “But, that order —”
“Oh! yes. You are quite right. There is an order, certainly;” and these words were pronounced by Aramis in so strange a tone, that Fouquet could not resist starting.
“You are concealing32 something from me, I see. What is it?”
Aramis softly rubbed his white fingers over his chin, but said nothing.
“Does the king exile me?”
“Do not act as if you were playing at the game children play at when they have to try and guess where a thing has been hidden, and are informed, by a bell being rung, when they are approaching near to it, or going away from it.”
“Speak, then.”
“Guess.”
“You alarm me.”
“Bah! that is because you have not guessed, then.”
“What did the king say to you? In the name of our friendship, do not deceive me.”
“The king has not said one word to me.”
“You are killing33 me with impatience, D’Herblay. Am I still superintendent?”
“As long as you like.”
“But what extraordinary empire have you so suddenly acquired over his majesty34’s mind?”
“Ah! that’s the point.”
“He does your bidding?”
“I believe so.”
“It is hardly credible35.”
“So any one would say.”
“D’Herblay, by our alliance, by our friendship, by everything you hold dearest in the world, speak openly, I implore36 you. By what means have you succeeded in overcoming Louis XIV.‘s prejudices, for he did not like you, I am certain.”
“The king will like me now,” said Aramis, laying stress upon the last word.
“You have something particular, then, between you?”
“Yes.”
“A secret, perhaps?”
“A secret.”
“A secret of such a nature as to change his majesty’s interests?”
“You are, indeed, a man of superior intelligence, monseigneur, and have made a particularly accurate guess. I have, in fact, discovered a secret, of a nature to change the interests of the king of France.”
“Ah!” said Fouquet, with the reserve of a man who does not wish to ask any more questions.
“And you shall judge of it yourself,” pursued Aramis; “and you shall tell me if I am mistaken with regard to the importance of this secret.”
“I am listening, since you are good enough to unbosom yourself to me; only do not forget that I have asked you about nothing which it may be indiscreet in you to communicate.”
Aramis seemed, for a moment, as if he were collecting himself.
“Do not speak!” said Fouquet: “there is still time enough.”
“Do you remember,” said the bishop, casting down his eyes, “the birth of Louis XIV.?”
“As if it were yesterday.”
“Have you ever heard anything particular respecting his birth?”
“Nothing; except that the king was not really the son of Louis XIII.”
“That does not matter to us, or the kingdom either; he is the son of his father, says the French law, whose father is recognized by law.”
“True; but it is a grave matter, when the quality of races is called into question.”
“A merely secondary question, after all. So that, in fact, you have never learned or heard anything in particular?”
“Nothing.”
“That is where my secret begins. The queen, you must know, instead of being delivered of a son, was delivered of twins.”
Fouquet looked up suddenly as he replied:
“And the second is dead?”
“You will see. These twins seemed likely to be regarded as the pride of their mother, and the hope of France; but the weak nature of the king, his superstitious37 feelings, made him apprehend38 a series of conflicts between two children whose rights were equal; so he put out of the way — he suppressed — one of the twins.”
“Suppressed, do you say?”
“Have patience. Both the children grew up; the one on the throne, whose minister you are — the other, who is my friend, in gloom and isolation39.”
“Good heavens! What are you saying, Monsieur d’Herblay? And what is this poor prince doing?”
“Ask me, rather, what has he done.”
“Yes, yes.”
“He was brought up in the country, and then thrown into a fortress40 which goes by the name of the Bastile.”
“Is it possible?” cried the surintendant, clasping his hands.
“The one was the most fortunate of men: the other the most unhappy and miserable41 of all living beings.”
“Does his mother not know this?”
“Anne of Austria knows it all.”
“And the king?”
“Knows absolutely nothing.”
“So much the better,” said Fouquet.
This remark seemed to make a great impression on Aramis; he looked at Fouquet with the most anxious expression of countenance42.
“I beg your pardon; I interrupted you,” said Fouquet.
“I was saying,” resumed Aramis, “that this poor prince was the unhappiest of human beings, when Heaven, whose thoughts are over all His creatures, undertook to come to his assistance.”
“Oh! in what way? Tell me.”
“You will see. The reigning43 king — I say the reigning king — you can guess very well why?”
“No. Why?”
“Because both of them, being legitimate44 princes, ought to have been kings. Is not that your opinion?”
“It is, certainly.”
“Unreservedly?”
“Most unreservedly; twins are one person in two bodies.”
“I am pleased that a legist of your learning and authority should have pronounced such an opinion. It is agreed, then, that each of them possessed45 equal rights, is it not?”
“Incontestably! but, gracious heavens, what an extraordinary circumstance!”
“We are not at the end of it yet. — Patience.”
“Oh! I shall find ‘patience’ enough.”
“Heaven wished to raise up for that oppressed child an avenger46, or a supporter, or vindicator47, if you prefer it. It happened that the reigning king, the usurper48 — you are quite of my opinion, I believe, that it is an act of usurpation49 quietly to enjoy, and selfishly to assume the right over, an inheritance to which a man has only half a right?”
“Yes, usurpation is the word.”
“In that case, I continue. It was Heaven’s will that the usurper should possess, in the person of his first minister, a man of great talent, of large and generous nature.”
“Well, well,” said Fouquet, “I understand you; you have relied upon me to repair the wrong which has been done to this unhappy brother of Louis XIV. You have thought well; I will help you. I thank you, D’Herblay, I thank you.”
“Oh, no, it is not that at all; you have not allowed me to finish,” said Aramis, perfectly unmoved.
“I will not say another word, then.”
“M. Fouquet, I was observing, the minister of the reigning sovereign, was suddenly taken into the greatest aversion, and menaced with the ruin of his fortune, loss of liberty, loss of life even, by intrigue50 and personal hatred, to which the king gave too readily an attentive51 ear. But Heaven permits (still, however, out of consideration for the unhappy prince who had been sacrificed) that M. Fouquet should in his turn have a devoted52 friend who knew this state secret, and felt that he possessed strength and courage enough to divulge53 this secret, after having had the strength to carry it locked up in his own heart for twenty years.
“Go no farther,” said Fouquet, full of generous feelings. “I understand you, and can guess everything now. You went to see the king when the intelligence of my arrest reached you; you implored54 him, he refused to listen to you; then you threatened him with that secret, threatened to reveal it, and Louis XIV., alarmed at the risk of its betrayal, granted to the terror of your indiscretion what he refused to your generous intercession. I understand, I understand; you have the king in your power; I understand.”
“You understand nothing— as yet,” replied Aramis, “and again you interrupt me. Then, too, allow me to observe that you pay no attention to logical reasoning, and seem to forget what you ought most to remember.”
“What do you mean?”
“You know upon what I laid the greatest stress at the beginning of our conversation?”
“Yes, his majesty’s hate, invincible56 hate for me; yes, but what feeling of hate could resist the threat of such a revelation?”
“Such a revelation, do you say? that is the very point where your logic55 fails you. What! do you suppose that if I had made such a revelation to the king, I should have been alive now?”
“It is not ten minutes ago that you were with the king.”
“That may be. He might not have had the time to get me killed outright57, but he would have had the time to get me gagged and thrown in a dungeon58. Come, come, show a little consistency59 in your reasoning, mordieu!”
And by the mere use of this word, which was so thoroughly60 his old musketeer’s expression, forgotten by one who never seemed to forget anything, Fouquet could not but understand to what a pitch of exaltation the calm, impenetrable bishop of Vannes had wrought61 himself. He shuddered62.
“And then,” replied the latter, after having mastered his feelings, “should I be the man I really am, should I be the true friend you believe me, if I were to expose you, whom the king already hates so bitterly, to a feeling more than ever to be dreaded63 in that young man? To have robbed him, is nothing; to have addressed the woman he loves, is not much; but to hold in your keeping both his crown and his honor, why, he would pluck out your heart with his own hands.”
“You have not allowed him to penetrate64 your secret, then?”
“I would sooner, far sooner, have swallowed at one draught65 all the poisons that Mithridates drank in twenty years, in order to try and avoid death, than have betrayed my secret to the king.”
“What have you done, then?”
“Ah! now we are coming to the point, monseigneur. I think I shall not fail to excite in you a little interest. You are listening, I hope.”
“How can you ask me if I am listening? Go on.”
Aramis walked softly all round the room, satisfied himself that they were alone, and that all was silent, and then returned and placed himself close to the armchair in which Fouquet was seated, awaiting with the deepest anxiety the revelation he had to make.
“I forgot to tell you,” resumed Aramis, addressing himself to Fouquet, who listened to him with the most absorbed attention —“I forgot to mention a most remarkable66 circumstance respecting these twins, namely, that God had formed them so startlingly, so miraculously67, like each other, that it would be utterly68 impossible to distinguish the one from the other. Their own mother would not be able to distinguish them.”
“Is it possible?” exclaimed Fouquet.
“The same noble character in their features, the same carriage, the same stature69, the same voice.”
“But their thoughts? degree of intelligence? their knowledge of human life?”
“There is inequality there, I admit, monseigneur. Yes; for the prisoner of the Bastile is, most incontestably, superior in every way to his brother; and if, from his prison, this unhappy victim were to pass to the throne, France would not, from the earliest period of its history, perhaps, have had a master more powerful in genius and nobility of character.”
Fouquet buried his face in his hands, as if he were overwhelmed by the weight of this immense secret. Aramis approached him.
“There is a further inequality,” he said, continuing his work of temptation, “an inequality which concerns yourself, monseigneur, between the twins, both sons of Louis XIII., namely, the last comer does not know M. Colbert.”
Fouquet raised his head immediately — his features were pale and distorted. The bolt had hit its mark — not his heart, but his mind and comprehension.
“I understand you,” he said to Aramis; “you are proposing a conspiracy70 to me?”
“Something like it.”
“One of those attempts which, as you said at the beginning of this conversation, alters the fate of empires?”
“And of superintendents71, too; yes, monseigneur.”
“In a word, you propose that I should agree to the substitution of the son of Louis XIII., who is now a prisoner in the Bastile, for the son of Louis XIII., who is at this moment asleep in the Chamber72 of Morpheus?”
Aramis smiled with the sinister73 expression of the sinister thought which was passing through his brain. “Exactly,” he said.
“Have you thought,” continued Fouquet, becoming animated74 with that strength of talent which in a few seconds originates, and matures the conception of a plan, and with that largeness of view which foresees all consequences, and embraces every result at a glance —“have you thought that we must assemble the nobility, the clergy76, and the third estate of the realm; that we shall have to depose77 the reigning sovereign, to disturb by so frightful78 a scandal the tomb of their dead father, to sacrifice the life, the honor of a woman, Anne of Austria, the life and peace of mind and heart of another woman, Maria Theresa; and suppose that it were all done, if we were to succeed in doing it —”
“I do not understand you,” continued Aramis, coldly. “There is not a single syllable of sense in all you have just said.”
“What!” said the superintendent, surprised, “a man like you refuse to view the practical bearing of the case! Do you confine yourself to the childish delight of a political illusion, and neglect the chances of its being carried into execution; in other words, the reality itself, is it possible?”
“My friend,” said Aramis, emphasizing the word with a kind of disdainful familiarity, “what does Heaven do in order to substitute one king for another?”
“Heaven!” exclaimed Fouquet —“Heaven gives directions to its agent, who seizes upon the doomed79 victim, hurries him away, and seats the triumphant80 rival on the empty throne. But you forget that this agent is called death. Oh! Monsieur d’Herblay, in Heaven’s name, tell me if you have had the idea —”
“There is no question of that, monseigneur; you are going beyond the object in view. Who spoke8 of Louis XIV.‘s death? who spoke of adopting the example which Heaven sets in following out the strict execution of its decrees? No, I wish you to understand that Heaven effects its purposes without confusion or disturbance81, without exciting comment or remark, without difficulty or exertion82; and that men, inspired by Heaven, succeed like Heaven itself, in all their undertakings83, in all they attempt, in all they do.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, my friend,” returned Aramis, with the same intonation84 on the word friend that he had applied85 to it the first time —“I mean that if there has been any confusion, scandal, and even effort in the substitution of the prisoner for the king, I defy you to prove it.”
“What!” cried Fouquet, whiter than the handkerchief with which he wiped his temples, “what do you say?”
“Go to the king’s apartment,” continued Aramis, tranquilly86, “and you who know the mystery, I defy even you to perceive that the prisoner of the Bastile is lying in his brother’s bed.”
“But the king,” stammered87 Fouquet, seized with horror at the intelligence.
“What king?” said Aramis, in his gentlest tone; “the one who hates you, or the one who likes you?”
“The king — of —yesterday.”
“The king of yesterday! be quite easy on that score; he has gone to take the place in the Bastile which his victim occupied for so many years.”
“Great God! And who took him there?”
“I.”
“You?”
“Yes, and in the simplest way. I carried him away last night. While he was descending88 into midnight, the other was ascending89 into day. I do not think there has been any disturbance whatever. A flash of lightning without thunder awakens90 nobody.”
Fouquet uttered a thick, smothered91 cry, as if he had been struck by some invisible blow, and clasping his head between his clenched92 hands, he murmured: “You did that?”
“Cleverly enough, too; what do you think of it?”
“You dethroned the king? imprisoned93 him, too?”
“Yes, that has been done.”
“And such an action was committed here, at Vaux?”
“Yes, here, at Vaux, in the Chamber of Morpheus. It would almost seem that it had been built in anticipation94 of such an act.”
“And at what time did it occur?”
“Last night, between twelve and one o’clock.”
Fouquet made a movement as if he were on the point of springing upon Aramis; he restrained himself. “At Vaux; under my roof!” he said, in a half-strangled voice.
“I believe so! for it is still your house, and it is likely to continue so, since M. Colbert cannot rob you of it now.”
“It was under my roof, then, monsieur, that you committed this crime?”
“This crime?” said Aramis, stupefied.
“This abominable95 crime!” pursued Fouquet, becoming more and more excited; “this crime more execrable than an assassination96! this crime which dishonors my name forever, and entails97 upon me the horror of posterity98.”
“You are not in your senses, monsieur,” replied Aramis, in an irresolute99 tone of voice; “you are speaking too loudly; take care!”
“I will call out so loudly, that the whole world shall hear me.”
“Monsieur Fouquet, take care!”
Fouquet turned round towards the prelate, whom he looked at full in the face. “You have dishonored me,” he said, “in committing so foul100 an act of treason, so heinous101 a crime upon my guest, upon one who was peacefully reposing102 beneath my roof. Oh! woe103, woe is me!”
“Woe to the man, rather, who beneath your roof meditated104 the ruin of your fortune, your life. Do you forget that?”
“He was my guest, my sovereign.”
Aramis rose, his eyes literally105 bloodshot, his mouth trembling convulsively. “Have I a man out of his senses to deal with?” he said.
“You have an honorable man to deal with.”
“You are mad.”
“A man who will prevent you consummating106 your crime.”
“You are mad, I say.”
“A man who would sooner, oh! far sooner, die; who would kill you even, rather than allow you to complete his dishonor.”
And Fouquet snatched up his sword, which D’Artagnan had placed at the head of his bed, and clenched it resolutely107 in his hand. Aramis frowned, and thrust his hand into his breast as if in search of a weapon. This movement did not escape Fouquet, who, full of nobleness and pride in his magnanimity, threw his sword to a distance from him, and approached Aramis so close as to touch his shoulder with his disarmed108 hand. “Monsieur,” he said, “I would sooner die here on the spot than survive this terrible disgrace; and if you have any pity left for me, I entreat109 you to take my life.”
Aramis remained silent and motionless.
“You do not reply?” said Fouquet.
Aramis raised his head gently, and a glimmer110 of hope might be seen once more to animate75 his eyes. “Reflect, monseigneur,” he said, “upon everything we have to expect. As the matter now stands, the king is still alive, and his imprisonment111 saves your life.”
“Yes,” replied Fouquet, “you may have been acting112 on my behalf, but I will not, do not, accept your services. But, first of all, I do not wish your ruin. You will leave this house.”
Aramis stifled113 the exclamation114 which almost escaped his broken heart.
“I am hospitable115 towards all who are dwellers116 beneath my roof,” continued Fouquet, with an air of inexpressible majesty; “you will not be more fatally lost than he whose ruin you have consummated117.”
“You will be so,” said Aramis, in a hoarse118, prophetic voice, “you will be so, believe me.”
“I accept the augury119, Monsieur d’Herblay; but nothing shall prevent me, nothing shall stop me. You will leave Vaux — you must leave France; I give you four hours to place yourself out of the king’s reach.”
“Four hours?” said Aramis, scornfully and incredulously.
“Upon the word of Fouquet, no one shall follow you before the expiration120 of that time. You will therefore have four hours’ advance of those whom the king may wish to dispatch after you.”
“Four hours!” repeated Aramis, in a thick, smothered voice.
“It is more than you will need to get on board a vessel121 and flee to Belle–Isle, which I give you as a place of refuge.”
“Ah!” murmured Aramis.
“Belle–Isle is as much mine for you, as Vaux is mine for the king. Go, D’Herblay, go! as long as I live, not a hair of your head shall be injured.”
“Thank you,” said Aramis, with a cold irony122 of manner.
“Go at once, then, and give me your hand, before we both hasten away; you to save your life, I to save my honor.”
Aramis withdrew from his breast the hand he had concealed123 there; it was stained with his blood. He had dug his nails into his flesh, as if in punishment for having nursed so many projects, more vain, insensate, and fleeting124 than the life of the man himself. Fouquet was horror-stricken, and then his heart smote125 him with pity. He threw open his arms as if to embrace him.
“I had no arms,” murmured Aramis, as wild and terrible in his wrath126 as the shade of Dido. And then, without touching127 Fouquet’s hand, he turned his head aside, and stepped back a pace or two. His last word was an imprecation, his last gesture a curse, which his blood-stained hand seemed to invoke128, as it sprinkled on Fouquet’s face a few drops of blood which flowed from his breast. And both of them darted out of the room by the secret staircase which led down to the inner courtyard. Fouquet ordered his best horses, while Aramis paused at the foot of the staircase which led to Porthos’s apartment. He reflected profoundly and for some time, while Fouquet’s carriage left the courtyard at full gallop129.
“Shall I go alone?” said Aramis to himself, “or warn the prince? Oh! fury! Warn the prince, and then — do what? Take him with me? To carry this accusing witness about with me everywhere? War, too, would follow — civil war, implacable in its nature! And without any resource save myself — it is impossible! What could he do without me? Oh! without me he will be utterly destroyed. Yet who knows — let destiny be fulfilled — condemned130 he was, let him remain so then! Good or evil Spirit — gloomy and scornful Power, whom men call the genius of humanity, thou art a power more restlessly uncertain, more baselessly useless, than wild mountain wind! Chance, thou term’st thyself, but thou art nothing; thou inflamest everything with thy breath, crumblest mountains at thy approach, and suddenly art thyself destroyed at the presence of the Cross of dead wood behind which stand another Power invisible like thyself — whom thou deniest, perhaps, but whose avenging131 hand is on thee, and hurls132 thee in the dust dishonored and unnamed! Lost! — I am lost! What can be done? Flee to Belle–Isle? Yes, and leave Porthos behind me, to talk and relate the whole affair to every one! Porthos, too, who will have to suffer for what he has done. I will not let poor Porthos suffer. He seems like one of the members of my own frame; and his grief or misfortune would be mine as well. Porthos shall leave with me, and shall follow my destiny. It must be so.”
And Aramis, apprehensive133 of meeting any one to whom his hurried movements might appear suspicious, ascended134 the staircase without being perceived. Porthos, so recently returned from Paris, was already in a profound sleep; his huge body forgot its fatigue135, as his mind forgot its thoughts. Aramis entered, light as a shadow, and placed his nervous grasp on the giant’s shoulder. “Come, Porthos,” he cried, “come.”
Porthos obeyed, rose from his bed, opened his eyes, even before his intelligence seemed to be aroused.
“We leave immediately,” said Aramis.
“Ah!” returned Porthos.
“We shall go mounted, and faster than we have ever gone in our lives.”
“Ah!” repeated Porthos.
“Dress yourself, my friend.”
And he helped the giant to dress himself, and thrust his gold and diamonds into his pocket. Whilst he was thus engaged, a slight noise attracted his attention, and on looking up, he saw D’Artagnan watching them through the half-opened door. Aramis started.
“What the devil are you doing there in such an agitated136 manner?” said the musketeer.
“Hush!” said Porthos.
“We are going off on a mission of great importance,” added the bishop.
“You are very fortunate,” said the musketeer.
“Oh, dear me!” said Porthos, “I feel so wearied; I would far sooner have been fast asleep. But the service of the king. . . . ”
“Have you seen M. Fouquet?” said Aramis to D’Artagnan.
“Yes, this very minute, in a carriage.”
“What did he say to you?”
“‘Adieu;’ nothing more.”
“Was that all?”
“What else do you think he could say? Am I worth anything now, since you have got into such high favor?”
“Listen,” said Aramis, embracing the musketeer; “your good times are returning again. You will have no occasion to be jealous of any one.”
“Ah! bah!”
“I predict that something will happen to you today which will increase your importance more than ever.”
“Really?”
“You know that I know all the news?”
“Oh, yes!”
“Come, Porthos, are you ready? Let us go.”
“I am quite ready, Aramis.”
“Let us embrace D’Artagnan first.”
“Most certainly.”
“But the horses?”
“Oh! there is no want of them here. Will you have mine?”
“No; Porthos has his own stud. So adieu! adieu!”
The fugitives137 mounted their horses beneath the very eyes of the captain of the musketeers, who held Porthos’s stirrup for him, and gazed after them until they were out of sight.
“On any other occasion,” thought the Gascon, “I should say that those gentlemen were making their escape; but in these days politics seem so changed that such an exit is termed going on a mission. I have no objection; let me attend to my own affairs, that is more than enough for me,”— and he philosophically138 entered his apartments.
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1
bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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2
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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serenity
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| n.宁静，沉着，晴朗 | |
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interrogate
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| vt.讯问，审问，盘问 | |
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humiliated
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| 感到羞愧的 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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12
reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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13
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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diplomacy
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| n.外交；外交手腕，交际手腕 | |
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prodigious
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| adj.惊人的，奇妙的；异常的；巨大的；庞大的 | |
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16
syllable
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| n.音节；vt.分音节 | |
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instinctive
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| adj.(出于)本能的；直觉的；(出于)天性的 | |
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ironical
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| adj.讽刺的，冷嘲的 | |
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19
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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20
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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21
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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22
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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23
traitor
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| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
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24
appropriation
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| n.拨款，批准支出 | |
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hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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26
irreconcilably
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| （观点、目标或争议）不可调和的，不相容的 | |
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27
absolved
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| 宣告…无罪，赦免…的罪行，宽恕…的罪行( absolve的过去式和过去分词 )； 不受责难，免除责任 [义务] ,开脱（罪责） | |
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28
sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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30
shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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31
superintendent
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| n.监督人，主管，总监；(英国)警务长 | |
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32
concealing
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，遮住( conceal的现在分词 ) | |
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33
killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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34
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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35
credible
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| adj.可信任的，可靠的 | |
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implore
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| vt.乞求，恳求，哀求 | |
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37
superstitious
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| adj.迷信的 | |
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38
apprehend
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| vt.理解，领悟，逮捕，拘捕，忧虑 | |
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isolation
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| n.隔离，孤立，分解，分离 | |
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40
fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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41
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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42
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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43
reigning
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| adj.统治的，起支配作用的 | |
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44
legitimate
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| adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法 | |
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45
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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46
avenger
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| n. 复仇者 | |
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47
vindicator
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| n.维护者，辩护者，辩明者 | |
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48
usurper
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| n. 篡夺者, 僭取者 | |
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49
usurpation
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| n.篡位；霸占 | |
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50
intrigue
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| vt.激起兴趣，迷住；vi.耍阴谋；n.阴谋，密谋 | |
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51
attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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52
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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53
divulge
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| v.泄漏(秘密等)；宣布，公布 | |
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54
implored
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| 恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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55
logic
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| n.逻辑(学)；逻辑性 | |
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56
invincible
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| adj.不可征服的，难以制服的 | |
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57
outright
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| adv.坦率地；彻底地；立即；adj.无疑的；彻底的 | |
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58
dungeon
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| n.地牢，土牢 | |
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59
consistency
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| n.一贯性，前后一致，稳定性；(液体的)浓度 | |
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60
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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61
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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63
dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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64
penetrate
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| v.透(渗)入；刺入，刺穿；洞察，了解 | |
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65
draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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66
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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67
miraculously
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| ad.奇迹般地 | |
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68
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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70
conspiracy
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| n.阴谋，密谋，共谋 | |
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71
superintendents
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| 警长( superintendent的名词复数 )； （大楼的）管理人； 监管人； （美国）警察局长 | |
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72
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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74
animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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75
animate
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| v.赋于生命，鼓励；adj.有生命的，有生气的 | |
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76
clergy
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| n.[总称]牧师，神职人员 | |
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77
depose
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| vt.免职；宣誓作证 | |
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frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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79
doomed
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| 命定的 | |
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80
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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disturbance
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| n.动乱，骚动；打扰，干扰；(身心)失调 | |
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82
exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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83
undertakings
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| 企业( undertaking的名词复数 )； 保证； 殡仪业； 任务 | |
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84
intonation
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| n.语调，声调；发声 | |
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85
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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86
tranquilly
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| adv. 宁静地 | |
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stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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90
awakens
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的第三人称单数 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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91
smothered
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| （使）窒息， （使）透不过气( smother的过去式和过去分词 )； 覆盖； 忍住； 抑制 | |
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92
clenched
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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93
imprisoned
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| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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abominable
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| adj.可厌的，令人憎恶的 | |
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96
assassination
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| n.暗杀；暗杀事件 | |
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97
entails
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| 使…成为必要( entail的第三人称单数 )； 需要； 限定继承； 使必需 | |
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98
posterity
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| n.后裔，子孙，后代 | |
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99
irresolute
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| adj.无决断的，优柔寡断的，踌躇不定的 | |
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100
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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101
heinous
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| adj.可憎的，十恶不赦的 | |
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102
reposing
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| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的现在分词 ) | |
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103
woe
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| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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104
meditated
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| 深思，沉思，冥想( meditate的过去式和过去分词 )； 内心策划，考虑 | |
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105
literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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106
consummating
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| v.使结束( consummate的现在分词 )；使完美；完婚；（婚礼后的）圆房 | |
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107
resolutely
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| adj.坚决地，果断地 | |
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108
disarmed
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| v.裁军( disarm的过去式和过去分词 )；使息怒 | |
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entreat
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| v.恳求，恳请 | |
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110
glimmer
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| v.发出闪烁的微光；n.微光，微弱的闪光 | |
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111
imprisonment
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| n.关押，监禁，坐牢 | |
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112
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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113
stifled
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| （使）窒息， （使）窒闷( stifle的过去式和过去分词 )； 镇压，遏制； 堵 | |
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114
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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115
hospitable
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| adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的 | |
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116
dwellers
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| n.居民，居住者( dweller的名词复数 ) | |
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117
consummated
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| v.使结束( consummate的过去式和过去分词 )；使完美；完婚；（婚礼后的）圆房 | |
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118
hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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119
augury
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| n.预言，征兆，占卦 | |
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120
expiration
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| n.终结，期满，呼气，呼出物 | |
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121
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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122
irony
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| n.反语，冷嘲；具有讽刺意味的事，嘲弄 | |
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123
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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124
fleeting
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| adj.短暂的，飞逝的 | |
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125
smote
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| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去式 ) | |
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126
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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127
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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128
invoke
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| v.求助于(神、法律)；恳求，乞求 | |
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129
gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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130
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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131
avenging
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| adj.报仇的，复仇的v.为…复仇，报…之仇( avenge的现在分词 )；为…报复 | |
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132
hurls
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的第三人称单数 )；大声叫骂 | |
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133
apprehensive
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| adj.担心的，恐惧的，善于领会的 | |
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134
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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135
fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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136
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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137
fugitives
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| n.亡命者，逃命者( fugitive的名词复数 ) | |
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138
philosophically
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| adv.哲学上；富有哲理性地；贤明地；冷静地 | |
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