s
with broken panes (impossible to close), no carpets, neither guards
nor servants: this is what first met the eyes of Athos, to which he,
touching his companion's elbow, directed his attention by his glances.

"Mazarin is better lodged," said Aramis.

"Mazarin is almost king," answered Athos; "Madame Henrietta is almost no
longer queen."

"If you would condescend to be clever, Athos," observed Aramis, "I
really do think you would be wittier than poor Monsieur de Voiture."

Athos smiled.

The queen appeared to be impatiently expecting them, for at the first
slight noise she heard in the hall leading to her room she came herself
to the door to receive these courtiers in the corridors of Misfortune.

"Enter. You are welcome, gentlemen," she said.

The gentlemen entered and remained standing, but at a motion from the
queen they seated themselves. Athos was calm and grave, but Aramis was
furious; the sight of such royal misery exasperated him and his eyes
examined every new trace of poverty that presented itself.

"You are examining the luxury I enjoy," said the queen, glancing sadly
around her.

"Madame," replied Aramis, "I must ask your pardon, but I know not how to
hide my indignation at seeing how a daughter of Henry IV. is treated at
the court of France."

"Monsieur Aramis is not an officer?" asked the queen of Lord de Winter.

"That gentleman is the Abbe d'Herblay," replied he.

Aramis blushed. "Madame," he said, "I am an abbe, it is true, but I am
so against my will. I never had a vocation for the bands; my cassock is
fastened by one button only, and I am always ready to become a musketeer
once more. This morning, being ignorant that I should have the honor of
seeing your majesty, I encumbered myself with this dress, but you
will find me none the less a man devoted to your majesty's service, in
whatever way you may see fit to use me."

"The Abbe d'Herblay," resumed De Winter, "is one of those gallant
musketeers formerly belonging to His Majesty King Louis XIII., of whom
I have spoken to you, madame." Then turning to Athos, he continued, "And
this gentleman is that noble Comte de la Fere, whose high reputation is
so well known to your majesty."

"Gentlemen," said the queen, "a few years ago I had around me ushers,
treasures, armies; and by the lifting of a finger all these were busied
in my service. To-day, look around you, and it may astonish you, that in
order to accomplish a plan which is dearer to