Page:Louise de la Valliere text.djvu/344

Rh 334 LOUISE DE LA VALLIERE. Aramis resumed his usual smile, the expression of which was so singular. "Heaven never fails to hear me," he said. "I abandon myself to you unreservedly," Fouquet murmured. "No, no; I do notunderstaud it in that manner. I am unreservedly devoted to you. Therefore, as you have the clearest, the most delicate, and the most ingenious mind of the two, you shall have entire control over the fete, even to the very smallest details. Only " "Only?" said Fouquet, as a man accustomed to under- stand and appreciate the value of a parenthesis. "Well, then, leaving the entire invention of the details to you, I shall reserve to myself a general superintendence over the execution." "In what way?" "I mean, that you will make of me, on that day, a major- domo, a sort of inspector-general, or factotum — something between a captain of the guard and manager or steward. I will look after the people, and will keep the keys of the doors. You will give your orders, of course; but will give them to no one but me. They will pass through my lips, to reach those for whom they are intended — you under- stand?" "No, I am very far from understanding." "But you agree?" "Of course, of course, my friend." "That is all I care about, then. Thanks; and now go and prepare your list of invitations." "Whom shall I invite?" "Every one." CHAPTEK L. IN WHICH THE AUTHOR THINKS IT IS NOW TIME TO RETURN TO THE VICOMTE DE BRAGELONNE. Our readers will have observed in this story the adven- tures of the new and of the past generation being detailed, as it were, side by side. To the former, the reflection of the glory of earlier years, the experience of the bitter things of this world; to the former, also, that peace which takes possession of the heart, and that healing of the scars which were formerly deep and painful wounds. To the latter, the