"Nay, sire; I love De Bragelonne with my whole heart; he is smitten with Mademoiselle de la Valliere, he weaves dreams of bliss for the future; I am not one who is willing to destroy the illusions of youth.This marriage is objectionable to me, but I implore your majesty to consent to it forthwith, and thus make Raoul happy.""Tell me, comte, is she in love with him?""If your majesty requires me to speak candidly, I do not believe in Mademoiselle de la Valliere's affection; the delight at being at court, the honor of being in the service of Madame, counteract in her head whatever affection she may happen to have in her heart; it is a marriage similar to many others which already exist at court; but De Bragelonne wishes it, and so let it be.""And yet you do not resemble those easy-tempered fathers who volunteer as stepping-stones for their children," said the king.
"I am determined enough against the viciously disposed, but not so against men of upright character.Raoul is suffering;he is in great distress of mind: his disposition, naturally light and cheerful, has become gloomy and melancholy.I do not wish to deprive your majesty of the services he may be able to render.""I understand you," said the king; "and what is more, Iunderstand your heart, too, comte."
"There is no occasion, therefore," replied the comte, "to tell your majesty that my object is to make these children, or rather Raoul, happy.""And I, too, as much as yourself, comte, wish to secure M.
de Bragelonne's happiness."
"I only await your majesty's signature.Raoul will have the honor of presenting himself before your majesty to receive your consent.""You are mistaken, comte," said the king, firmly; "I have just said that I desire to secure M.de Bragelonne's happiness, and from the present moment, therefore, I oppose his marriage.""But, sire," exclaimed Athos, "your majesty has promised!""Not so, comte, I did not promise you, for it is opposed to my own views.""I appreciate your majesty's considerate and generous intentions in my behalf; but I take the liberty of recalling to you that I undertook to approach you as an ambassador.""An ambassador, comte, frequently asks, but does not always obtain what he asks.""But, sire, it will be such a blow for De Bragelonne.""My hand shall deal the blow; I will speak to the vicomte.""Love, sir, is overwhelming in its might.""Love can be resisted, comte.I myself can assure you of that.""When one has the soul of a king, -- your own, for instance, sire.""Do not make yourself uneasy on the subject.I have certain views for De Bragelonne.I do not say that he shall not marry Mademoiselle de la Valliere, but I do not wish him to marry so young; I do not wish him to marry her until she has acquired a fortune; and he, on his side, no less deserves favor, such as I wish to confer upon him.In a word, comte, I wish them to wait.""Yet once more, sire."
"Comte, you told me you came to request a favor.""Assuredly, sire."
"Grant me one, then, instead; let us speak no longer upon this matter.It is probable that, before long, war may be declared.I require men about me who are unfettered.Ishould hesitate to send under fire a married man, or a father of a family.I should hesitate also, on De Bragelonne's account, to endow with a fortune, without some sound reason for it, a young girl, a perfect stranger; such an act would sow jealousy amongst my nobility." Athos bowed, and remained silent.
"Is that all you wished to ask me?" added Louis XIV.
"Absolutely all, sire; and I take my leave of your majesty.
