Part 39
— The first duty of a gentleman is obedience to his king.
— Sire...
— I command that you remain!
— Sire...
— Obey.
— As it shall please Your Majesty, Sire.
— Besides, I intend to clear up this whole matter; I wish to know how I was duped with such boldness as to penetrate into the sanctuary of my affections. Those who did this, de Saint-Aignan, it is not for you to punish them, for it is not your honor they attacked, it is mine.
— I beseech Your Majesty not to overwhelm M. de Bragelonne with your anger; in this affair he may have lacked prudence, but not loyalty.
— Enough! I shall know how to distinguish the just from the unjust, even in the heat of my wrath. Not a word of this to Madame, above all.
— But what is to be done with M. de Bragelonne, Sire? He will come looking for me, and...
— I shall have spoken with him or had him spoken to before this evening.
— Once again, Sire, I implore you, show leniency.
— I have been lenient long enough, Count, said Louis XIV, frowning; it is time I showed certain persons that I am master in my own house.
The king had scarcely uttered these words, which announced that to his new resentment was joined the memory of an old one, when the usher appeared upon the threshold of the cabinet.
— What is it? asked the king. Why do you come when I did not call?
— Sire, said the usher, Your Majesty ordered me, once and for all, to admit M. le Comte de La Fère whenever he had occasion to speak with Your Majesty.
— And then?
— M. le Comte de La Fère is without, waiting.
At these words the king and de Saint-Aignan exchanged a glance in which there was more anxiety than surprise. Louis hesitated an instant. But almost immediately, having made his resolution:
— Go, he said to de Saint-Aignan, go to Louise, inform her of what is being plotted against us; let her not remain ignorant that Madame has resumed her persecutions, and that she has set in motion men who would have done better to remain neutral.
— Sire...
— If Louise is frightened, continued the king, reassure her; tell her that the love of the king is an impenetrable shield. If, as I would fain doubt, she already knew all, or if she had on her side suffered some attack, tell her well, de Saint-Aignan, added the king, all a-tremble with anger and fever, tell her well that this time, instead of defending her, I shall avenge her, and that so severely that henceforth none shall dare lift their eyes to her.
— Is that all, Sire?
— That is all. Go quickly, and remain faithful, you who live amid this hell without, like me, the hope of paradise.
Saint-Aignan exhausted himself in protestations of devotion; he took and kissed the king's hand, and departed radiant.
End of Volume III
“Stories of the world, in your language.”