"Enough, my lord," said Louis XIV, rising."In refusing me a million, perhaps you may be right; your millions are your own.In refusing me two hundred gentlemen, you are still further in the right; for you are prime minister, and you have, in the eyes of France, the responsibility of peace and war.But that you should pretend to prevent me, who am king, from extending my hospitality to the grandson of Henry IV., to my cousin-german, to the companion of my childhood --there your power stops, and there begins my will.""Sire," said Mazarin, delighted at being let off so cheaply, and who had, besides, only fought so earnestly to arrive at that, -- "sire, I shall always bend before the will of my king.Let my king, then, keep near him, or in one of his chateaux, the king of England; let Mazarin know it, but let not the minister know it.""Good-night, my lord," said Louis XIV., "I go away in despair.""But convinced, and that is all I desire, sire," replied Mazarin.
The king made no answer, and retired quite pensive, convinced, not of all Mazarin had told him, but of one thing which he took care not to mention to him; and that was, that it was necessary for him to study seriously both his own affairs and those of Europe, for he found them very difficult and very obscure.Louis found the king of England seated in the same place where he had left him.On perceiving him, the English prince arose; but at the first glance he saw discouragement written in dark letters upon his cousin's brow.Then, speaking first, as if to facilitate the painful avowal that Louis had to make to him, --"Whatever it may be," said he, "I shall never forget all the kindness, all the friendship you have exhibited towards me.""Alas!" replied Louis, in a melancholy tone, "only barren good-will, my brother."Charles II.became extremely pale; he passed his cold hand over his brow, and struggled for a few instants against a faintness that made him tremble."I understand," said he at last; "no more hope!"Louis seized the hand of Charles II."Wait, my brother,"said he; "precipitate nothing, everything may change; hasty resolutions ruin all causes, add another year of trial, Iimplore you, to the years you have already undergone.You have, to induce you to act now rather than at another time, neither occasion nor opportunity.Come with me, my brother;I will give you one of my residences, whichever you prefer, to inhabit.I, with you, will keep my eyes upon events; we will prepare.Come, then, my brother, have courage!"Charles II.withdrew his hand from that of the king, and drawing back, to salute him with more ceremony, "With all my heart, thanks!" replied he, "sire; but I have prayed without success to the greatest king on earth; now I will go and ask a miracle of God." And he went out without being willing to hear any more, his head carried loftily, his hand trembling, with a painful contraction of his noble countenance, and that profound gloom which, finding no more hope in the world of men, appeared to go beyond it, and ask it in worlds unknown.The officer of musketeers, on seeing him pass by thus pale, bowed almost to his knees as he saluted him.He then took a flambeau, called two musketeers, and descended the deserted staircase with the unfortunate king, holding in his left hand his hat, the plume of which swept the steps.
Arrived at the door, the musketeer asked the king which way he was going, that he might direct the musketeers.
"Monsieur," replied Charles II., in a subdued voice, "you who have known my father, say, did you ever pray for him? If you have done so, do not forget me in your prayers.Now, Iam going alone, and beg of you not to accompany me, or have me accompanied any further."The officer bowed and sent away the musketeers into the interior of the palace.But he himself remained an instant under the porch watching the departing Charles II., till he was lost in the turn of the next street."To him as to his father formerly," murmured he, "Athos, if he were here, would say with reason, -- `Salute fallen majesty!'" Then, reascending the staircase: "Oh! the vile service that Ifollow!" said he at every step."Oh! my pitiful master! Life thus carried on is no longer tolerable, and it is at length time that I should do something! No more generosity, no more energy! The master has succeeded, the pupil is starved forever.Mordioux! I will not resist.Come, you men,"continued he, entering the ante-chamber, "why are you all looking at me so? Extinguish these torches and return to your posts.Ah! you were guarding me? Yes, you watch over me, do you not, worthy fellows? Brave fools! I am not the Duc de Guise.Begone! They will not assassinate me in the little passage.Besides," added he, in a low voice, "that would be a resolution, and no resolutions have been formed since Monsieur le Cardinal de Richelieu died.Now, with all his faults, that was a man! It is settled: to-morrow I will throw my cassock to the nettles."Then, reflecting: "No," said he, "not yet! I have one great trial to make and I will make it; but that, and I swear it, shall be the last, Mordioux!"He had not finished speaking when a voice issued from the king's chamber."Monsieur le lieutenant!" said this voice.
"Here am I," replied he.
"The king desires to speak to you."
"Humph!" said the lieutenant; "perhaps of what I was thinking about." And he went into the king's apartment.