Page:The Man in the Iron Mask.djvu/34

20 "Unless, indeed," resumed the bishop ironically, "it be the destiny of your race that the brothers excluded from the throne should be always princes void of courage and honesty, as was your uncle. Monsieur Gaston d'Orleans, who ten times conspired against his brother, Louis XIII."

"What!" cried the prince, astonished, "my uncle Gaston 'conspired against his brother;' conspired to dethrone him?"

"Exactly, monseigneur; for no other reason. I tell you the truth."

"And he had friends—devoted ones?"

"As much so as I am to you."

"And, after all, what did he do? Failed!"

"He failed, I admit; but always through his own fault; and for the sake of purchasing—not his life—for the life of the king's brother is sacred and inviolable—but his liberty, he sacrificed the lives of all his friends, one after another. And so, at this day, he is the very shame of history, and the detestation of a hundred noble families in this kingdom."

"I understand, monsieur; either by weakness or treachery, my uncle slew his friends."

"By weakness; which, in princes, is always treachery."

"And cannot a man fail, then, from incapacity and ignorance? Do you really believe it possible that a poor captive such as I, brought up, not only at a distance from the court, but even from the world—do you believe it possible that such a one could assist those of his friends who should attempt to serve him?"

And, as Aramis was about to reply, the young man suddenly cried out, with a violence which betrayed the temper of his blood:

"We are speaking of friends; but how can 1 have any friends—I, whom no one knows, and have neither liberty, money, nor influence, to gain any?"

"I fancy I had the honor to offer myself to your royal highness."

"Oh, do not style me so, monsieur; 'tis either treachery or cruelty. Bid me not think of aught else than these prison walls, which confine me; let me again love, or, at least, submit to my slavery and my obscurity."

"Monseigneur, monseigneur, if you again utter these desperate words—if, after having received proof of your high birth, you still remain poor-sighted in body and soul, I will comply with your desire, I will depart, and renounce forever the service of a master to whom so eagerly I came to devote my assistance and my life!"