, my lord, and we--we will reflect."

"I do not need rest, gentlemen; I need to know whether I am among
enemies or friends."

"Friends, my lord! friends!"

"Well, then, tell me at once what you want, that I may see if any
arrangement be possible. Speak, Comte de la Fere!"

"My lord," replied Athos, "for myself I have nothing to demand. For
France, were I to specify my wishes, I should have too much. I beg you
to excuse me and propose to the chevalier."

And Athos, bowing, retired and remained leaning against the mantelpiece,
a spectator of the scene.

"Speak, then, chevalier!" said the cardinal. "What do you want? Nothing
ambiguous, if you please. Be clear, short and precise."

"As for me," replied Aramis, "I have in my pocket the very programme
of the conditions which the deputation--of which I formed one--went
yesterday to Saint Germain to impose on you. Let us consider first the
ancient rights. The demands in that programme must be granted."

"We were almost agreed on those," replied Mazarin; "let us pass on to
private and personal stipulations."

"You suppose, then, that there are some?" said Aramis, smiling.

"I do not suppose that you will all be quite so disinterested as
Monsieur de la Fere," replied the cardinal, bowing to Athos.

"My lord, you are right, and I am glad to see that you do justice to
the count at last. The count has a mind above vulgar desires and earthly
passions. He is a proud soul--he is a man by himself! You are right--he
is worth us all, and we avow it to you!"

"Aramis," said Athos, "are you jesting?"

"No, no, dear friend; I state only what we all know. You are right;
it is not you alone this matter concerns, but my lord and his unworthy
servant, myself."

"Well, then, what do you require besides the general conditions before
recited?"

"I require, my lord, that Normandy should be given to Madame de
Longueville, with five hundred thousand francs and full absolution. I
require that his majesty should deign to be godfather to the child
she has just borne; and that my lord, after having been present at the
christening, should go to proffer his homage to our Holy Father the
Pope."

"That is, you wish me to lay aside my ministerial functions, to quit
France and be an exile."

"I wish his eminence to become pope on the first opportunity, allowing
me then the right of demanding full indulgences for myself and my
friends."

Mazarin made a grimace which was quite indescribabl