Page:The Vicomte de Bragelonne 2.djvu/499

Rh THE VICOMTE DE BRAGELONNE. 487 as Porthos does; D'Artugnan has not the gout and gravel, as I have; he is not a horseman, he is a centaur. D'Artag- nan, see you, set out- for Belle- isle when I set out for Paris; and D'Artagnan, notwithstanding my ten hours' advance, D'Artagnan will arrive within two hours after me." "But, then, accidents?" "He never meets with any accidents." "Horses may fail him." "He will run as fast as a horse." "Good God! what a man!" "Yes, he is a man whom I love and admire. I love him because he is good, great, and loyal; I admire him because he represents with me the culminating: point of human powers; but, while loving and admiring him, I fear him, and am on my guard against him. Now, then, I resume, monsieur; in two hours D'Artagnan will be here; be before hand with him. Go to the Louvre, and see the king before he sees D'Artagnan." "What shall I say to the king?" "Nothing; give him Belle-Isle." "Oh! Monsieur d'Herblay! Monsieur d'Herblay!" cried Fouqr>et, "what projects crushed all at once!" "After one project that has failed there i« always another project which may lead to good; we should never despair. Go, monsieur, and go quickly." "But that garrison, so carefully chosen, the king will change it directly." "That garrison, monsieur, was the king'b when it entered Belle-Isle; it is yours now; it will be the same wi f h all gar- risons after a fortnight's occupation. Let things go on, monsieur. Do you see any inconvenience in having an army at the end of. a year, instead of two regiments? Do you not see that your garrison of to-day will make you partisans at La Eochelle, Nantes, Bordeaux, Toulouse — in short, wherever they may be sen 4 to? Go to the king. monsieur, go; time flies, and D'Artagnan, while we are los- ing time, is flying like an arrow along the highroad." "Monsieur d'Herblay, you know that each word from you is a germ which fructifies in my thoughts. 1 will go to the Louvre." "Instantly, will you not?" "I only ask time tc change my dress." "Eemember that D Artagnan has no need to pass through St. Mande, but will go straight to the Louvre; that is cut ting off an hour from the advance which remains to us."