liettes
are employed as a means of kingly vengeance, and a low-born fellow such
as he is would not have recourse to them. Your arrest is known, that of
your friends will soon be known; and all the nobility of France would
demand an explanation of your disappearance. No, no, be easy on that
score. I will, however, inform Monsieur d'Artagnan of your arrival
here."

Comminges then led the count to a room on the ground floor of a
pavilion, at the end of the orangery. They passed through a courtyard as
they went, full of soldiers and courtiers. In the centre of this court,
in the form of a horseshoe, were the buildings occupied by Mazarin, and
at each wing the pavilion (or smaller building), where D'Artagnan was
confined, and that, level with the orangery, where Athos was to be. From
the ends of these two wings extended the park.

Athos, when he reached his appointed room, observed through the gratings
of his window, walls and roofs; and was told, on inquiry, by Comminges,
that he was looking on the back of the pavilion where D'Artagnan was
confined.

"Yes, 'tis too true," said Comminges, "'tis almost a prison; but what a
singular fancy this is of yours, count--you, who are the very flower of
our nobility--to squander your valor and loyalty amongst these upstarts,
the Frondists! Really, count, if ever I thought that I had a friend in
the ranks of the royal army, it was you. A Frondeur! you, the Comte de
la Fere, on the side of Broussel, Blancmesnil and Viole! For shame! you,
a Frondeur!"

"On my word of honor," said Athos, "one must be either a Mazarinist or a
Frondeur. For a long time I had these words whispered in my ears, and
I chose the latter; at any rate, it is a French word. And now, I am a
Frondeur--not of Broussel's party, nor of Blancmesnil's, nor am I with
Viole; but with the Duc de Beaufort, the Ducs de Bouillon and d'Elbeuf;
with princes, not with presidents, councillors and low-born lawyers.
Besides, what a charming outlook it would have been to serve the
cardinal! Look at that wall--without a single window--which tells you
fine things about Mazarin's gratitude!"

"Yes," replied De Comminges, "more especially if it could reveal how
Monsieur d'Artagnan for this last week has been anathematizing him."

"Poor D'Artagnan'" said Athos, with the charming melancholy that was one
of the traits of his character, "so brave, so good, so terrible to the
enemies of those he loves. You have two unruly prisoners there,