King Louis XIV.
does not think Mademoiselle de la Valliere either rich enough or pretty enough for a Gentleman of the Rank of the Vicomte de Bragelonne.
Raoul and the Comte de la Fere reached Paris the evening of the same day on which Buckingham had held the conversation with the queen-mother.The count had scarcely arrived, when, through Raoul, he solicited an audience of the king.His majesty had passed a portion of the morning in looking over, with Madame and the ladies of the court, various goods of Lyons manufacture, of which he had made his sister-in-law a present.A court dinner had succeeded, then cards, and afterwards, according to his usual custom, the king, leaving the card-tables at eight o'clock, passed into his cabinet in order to work with M.Colbert and M.Fouquet.Raoul entered the ante-chamber at the very moment the two ministers quitted it, and the king, perceiving him through the half-closed door, said, "What do you want, M.de Bragelonne?"The young man approached: "An audience, sire," he replied, "for the Comte de la Fere, who has just arrived from Blois, and is most anxious to have an interview with your majesty.""I have an hour to spare between cards and supper," said the king."Is the Comte de la Fere at hand?""He is below, and awaits your majesty's permission.""Let him come up at once," said the king, and five minutes afterwards Athos entered the presence of Louis XIV.He was received by the king with that gracious kindness of manner which Louis, with a tact beyond his years, reserved for the purpose of gaining those who were not to be conquered by ordinary favors."Let me hope, comte," said the king, "that you have come to ask me for something.""I will not conceal from your majesty," replied the comte, "that I am indeed come for that purpose.""That is well," said the king, joyously.
"It is not for myself, sire."
"So much the worse; but, at least, I will do for your protege what you refuse to permit me to do for you.""Your majesty encourages me.I have come to speak on behalf of the Vicomte de Bragelonne.""It is the same as if you spoke on your own behalf, comte.""Not altogether so, sire.I am desirous of obtaining from your majesty that which I cannot ask for myself.The vicomte thinks of marrying.""He is still very young; but that does not matter.He is an eminently distinguished man, I will choose a wife for him.""He has already chosen one, sire, and only awaits your consent.""It is only a question, then, of signing the marriage-contract?" Athos bowed."Has he chosen a wife whose fortune and position accord with your own anticipations?"Athos hesitated for a moment."His affianced wife is of good birth, but has no fortune.""That is a misfortune we can remedy."
"You overwhelm me with gratitude, sire; but your majesty will permit me to offer a remark?""Do so, comte."
"Your majesty seems to intimate an intention of giving a marriage-portion to this young lady.""Certainly."
"I should regret, sire, if the step I have taken towards your majesty should be attended by this result.""No false delicacy, comte; what is the bride's name?""Mademoiselle de la Baume le Blanc de la Valliere," said Athos, coldly.""I seem to know that name," said the king, as if reflecting;"there was a Marquis de la Valliere"
"Yes, sire, it is his daughter."
"But he died, and his widow married again M.de Saint-Remy, I think, steward of the wager Madame's household.""Your majesty is correctly informed."
"More than that, the young lady has lately become one of the princess's maids of honor.""Your majesty is better acquainted with her history than Iam."
The king again reflected, and glancing at the comte's anxious countenance, said: "The young lady does not seem to me to be very pretty, comte.""I am not quite sure," replied Athos.
"I have seen her, but she hardly struck me as being so.""She seems to be a good and modest girl, but has little beauty, sire.""Beautiful fair hair, however."
"I think so."
"And her blue eyes are tolerably good."
"Yes, sire."
"With regard to beauty, then, the match is but an ordinary one.Now for the money side of the question.""Fifteen to twenty thousand francs dowry at the very outside, sire; the lovers are disinterested enough; for myself, I care little for money.""For superfluity, you mean; but a needful amount is of importance.With fifteen thousand francs, without landed property, a woman cannot live at court.We will make up the deficiency; I will do it for De Bragelonne." The king again remarked the coldness with which Athos received the remark.
"Let us pass from the question of money to that of rank,"said Louis XIV.; "the daughter of the Marquis de la Valliere, that is well enough; but there is that excellent Saint-Remy, who somewhat damages the credit of the family;and you, comte, are rather particular, I believe, about your own family.""Sire, I no longer hold to anything but my devotion to your majesty."The king again paused."A moment, comte.You have surprised me in no little degree from the beginning of your conversation.You came to ask me to authorize a marriage, and you seem greatly disturbed in having to make the request.Nay, pardon me, comte, but I am rarely deceived, young as I am; for while with some persons I place my friendship at the disposal of my understanding, with others I call my distrust to my aid, by which my discernment is increased.I repeat that you do not prefer your request as though you wished it success.""Well, sire, that is true."
"I do not understand you, then; refuse."
