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Rh 428 LOUISE DE LA VALLIERE, affection for Athos, with that horror of isolation and soli- tude which invariably besets the minds of those who love; and all these combined rendered poor Grimaud very mel- ancholy, and particularly very uneasy. Without being able to account to himself for what he did, since his master's departure he wandered about the room, seeking, as it were, for some traces of him, like a faithful dog, who is not ex- actly uneasy about his absent master, but at least is restless. Only as, in addition to the instinct of the animal, Grimaud subjoined the reasoning faculties of the man, Grimaud, therefore, felt uneasy and restless, too. Not having found any indication which could serve as a guide, and having neither seen nor discovered anything which could satisfy his doubts, Grimaud began to imagine what could possibly have happened. Besides, the imagination is the resource, or, rather, the punishment of good and affectionate hearts. In fact, never does a good heart represent its absent friend to itself as being happy or cheerful. Never does the pigeon who travels in search of adventures inspire anything but terror to the pigeon who remains at home. Grimaud soon passed from uneasiness to terror; he carefully went over in his own mind everything that had taken place; D'Artagnan's letter to Athos, the letter which had seemed to distress Athos so much after he had read it; then Raoul's visit to Athos, which resulted in Athos desiring him (Grim- aud) to get his various orders and his court dress ready to put on; then his interview with the king, at the end of which Athos had returned home unusually gloomy; then the explanation between the father and the son, at the termina- tion of which Athos had embraced Raoul with such sadness of expression, while Raoul himself went away equally sad and melancholy; and, finally, D'Artagnan's arrival, biting, as if he were vexed, the end of his mustache, and his leav- ing again in the carriage, accompanied by the Comte de la Fere. All this composed a drama in five acts very clearly, particularly for so analytical an examiner as Grimaud. The first step he took was to search in his master's coat for M. d'Artagnan's letter; he found the letter still there, which contained the following: Mt Dear Friend: Raoul has been to ask me for some particulars about the conduct of Mademoiselle de la Val- liere during our young friend's residence in London. I am a poor captain of musketeers, and am sickened to death every day by hearing all the scandal of the barracks and