Page:The Man in the Iron Mask.djvu/447

Rh THE MAN IN THE IBOK MASK. 433 "Here repose people I have known," said D^Artagnan, much agitated. Aram is, without divining anything, and with a trembling step, penetrated into the chapel by a little door which D'Artagnan opened for him. "Where are they buried?'* said he. "There, in the inclosure. There is a cross, you see, under that little cypress. The little cypress is planted over their tomb; don't go to it; the king is going that way; the heron has fallen just there. '* Aramis stopped and concealed himself in the shade. They then saw, without being seen, the pale face of La Valliere, who, neglected in her carriage, had at first looked on, with a melancholy heart, from the door, and then, car- ried away by jealousy, she had advanced into the chapel, whence, leaning against a pillar, she contemplated in the inclosure the king smiling and making signs to Mme. de Montespan to approach, as there was nothing to be afraid of. Mme. de Montespan complied; she took the hand tha king held out to her, and he, plucking out the first feather from the heron, which the falconer had strangled, placed it in the hat of his beautiful companion. She, smiling in her turn, kissed the hand tenderly which made her this present. The king blushed with pleasure; he looked at Mme. de Montespan with all the fire of love. "What will you give me in exchange?'* said he. She broke oft a little branch of cypress and offered it to the king, who looked intoxicated with hope. "Humph!" said Aramis to D'Artagnan, "the present is but a sad one, for that cypress shades a tomb." "Yes, and the tomb is that of Eaoul de Bragelonne," said D'Artagnan, aloud, "of Eaoul, who sleeps under that cross with his father." A groan resounded behind them. They saw a woman fall fainting to the ground. Mile, de la Valliere had seen all, and heard all. "Poor woman!" muttered D'Artagnan, as he helped the attendants to carry back to her carriage she who from that time was to suffer. That evening D'Artagnan was seated at the king's table, near M. Colbert and M. le Due d'Alm6da. The king was very gay. He paid a thousand little attentions to the queen, a thousand kindnessos to madame, seated at his left hand, and very sad. It might have been supposed to be S Dumas— Vol. XYII.
 * No/* replied the duke.