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Rh 436 THE MAN IN" THE IRON" MASK. So far, well." And now you say that I am wrong in having in your household the Chevalier de Lorraine, who gives Monsieur ill advice respecting you?" "Kemember well what I tell you, sire; the Chevalier de Lorraine some day — Observe, if ever I come fco an ill end, I beforehand accuse the Chevalier de Lorraine; he has a soul capable of any crime." "The Chevalier de Lorraine shall no longer annoy you- — I promise you that." "Then that will be a true preliminary of alliance, sire — I sign; but since you have done your part, tell me what shall be mine." "Instead of imbroiling me with your brother Charles, you must make him my more intimate friend than ever." "That is very easy." "Oh! not quite so much so as you may think, for in or- dinary friendship people embrace or exercise hospitality, and that only costs a kiss or a return, easy expenses; but in political friendship " "Ah! it's a political friendship, is it?" "Yes, my sister; and then, instead of embraces and feasts, it is soldiers, it is soldiers all living and well equipped, that we must serve up to our friend; vessels we must offer, all armed with cannons and stored with provisions. It hence results that we have not always our coffers in a fit state to form such friendships.** "Ah! you are quite right," said madame; "the coffers of the King of England have been very sonorous for some time." "But you, my sister, who have so much influence over your brother, you can obtain more than an embassador could ever obtain." "To effect that I must go to London, my dear brother." "I have thought so," replied the king eagerly; "and I have said to myself that such a voyage would do your spirits good." "Only," interrupted madame, "it is possible I should fail. The King of England has dangerous counselors." "Counselors, do you say?" "Precisely. If, by chance, your majesty had any inten- tion — I am only supposing so — of asking Charles II. his alliance for a war " "For a war?" "Yes, well, then the counselors of the king, who are to