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Rh €44 THE MAN IK THE IKON MASK^ On the morrow of this day, Aramis, who was setting ont for Madrid, to negotiate the neutrality of Spain, came to embrace D'Artagnan at his hotel. are now but two." "And you will, perhaps, never see me again, dear D'Ar- tagnan,'* said Aramis; '*if you knew how I have loved you! I am old, 1 am extinguished, I am dead." "My friend," said D'Artagnan, "you will live longer than I shall; diplomacy commands you to live; but, for my part, hilllQrjcondiemns^Le_to_die^ "BahlsucK menjs we are". Monsieur le Mar6chal," said Aramis, ^^onlyj5ie~iaM^at ed with joy or glory ." "Ah!" repIiedT)'Artagnan, with a melancholy smile, "I assure you. Monsieur le Due, I feel very little appetite for either." They once more embraced, and, two hours after, they were separated. THE DEATH OF D'ARTAGNAN. Contrary to what always happens, whether in politics or morals, each kept his promise, and did honor to his engage- ments. The king recalled M. de Guiche, and banished M. le Chevalier de Lorraine; so that Monsieur became ill in con- sequence. Madame set out for London, where she applied herself so earnestly to make her brother, Qharles II., have a taste for the political councils of Mile, de Keroualle, that the alliance between England and France was signed, and the English vessels, ballasted by a few millions of French gold, made a terrible campaign against the fleets of the United Provinces. Charles II. had promised Mile, de Keroualle a little gratitude for her good councils; he made her Duchess of Portsmouth. Colbert had promised the king vessels, munitions, and victories. He kept his word, as is well known. At length Aramis, upon whose promises there was least dependence to be placed, wrote Colbert the following letter, on the subject of the negotiations which he had undertaken at Madrid: "Monsieur Colbert: I have the honor to expedite to you the R. P. d'Oliva, general ad interim of the Society of
 * Let us love each other for four,'' said D'Artagnan, "we