ady a grandee of Spain. Will you
join us?"

"No; for my part I prefer having something to reproach the king with; it
is a pride natural to my race to pretend to a superiority over royal
races. Doing what you propose, I should become the obliged of the king;
I should certainly be the gainer on that ground, but I should be a loser
in my conscience.--No, thank you!"

"Then, give me two things, Athos--your absolution."

"Oh! I give it you if you have really wished to avenge the weak and the
oppressed against the oppressor."

"That is sufficient for me," said Aramis, with a blush which was lost in
the obscurity of the night. "And now, give me your two best horses to
gain the second post, as I have been refused any under the pretext of
the Duc de Beaufort being traveling in this country."

"You shall have the two best horses, Aramis; and I again recommend
Porthos strongly to you."

"Oh; have no fear on that head. One word more: do you think I am
maneuvering for him as I ought?"

"The evil being committed, yes; for the king would not pardon him, and
you have, whatever may be said, always a supporter in M. Fouquet, who
will not abandon you, he being himself compromised, notwithstanding his
heroic action."

"You are right. And that is why, instead of gaining the sea at once,
which would proclaim my fear and guilt, that is why I remain upon French
ground. But Belle-Isle will be for me whatever ground I wish it to be.
English, Spanish, or Roman; all will consist, with me, in the standard I
shall think proper to unfurl."

"How so?"

"It was I who fortified Belle-Isle; and, while I defend it, nobody can
take Belle-Isle from me. And then, as you have said just now, M. Fouquet
is there. Belle-Isle will not be attacked without the signature of M.
Fouquet."

"That is true. Nevertheless, be prudent. The king is both cunning and
strong." Aramis smiled.

"I again recommend Porthos to you," repeated the comte, with a sort of
cold persistence.

"Whatever becomes of me, comte," replied Aramis, in the same tone, "our
brother Porthos will fare as I do."

Athos bowed while pressing the hand of Aramis, and turned to embrace
Porthos with much emotion.

"I was born lucky, was I not?" murmured the latter, transported with
happiness, as he folded his cloak round him.

"Come, my dear friend," said Aramis.

Raoul was gone out to give orders for the saddling of the horses. The
group was already divided. Athos saw his two friends