en the canvas with his hand, and pointed to the
soldier placed at ten paces from the tent, and who, at the first call,
could have rendered assistance in a second.

"In that case, my lord," said the gentleman, in as calm a tone as if
he had been for a length of time in habits of intimacy with his
interlocutor, "I have made up my mind to address myself to you, because
I believe you to be an honest man. Indeed, the communication I am about
to make to you will prove to you the esteem in which I hold you."

Monk, astonished at this language, which established between him and
the French gentleman equality at least, raised his piercing eye to the
stranger's face, and with a sensible irony conveyed by the inflection
of his voice alone, for not a muscle of his face moved,--"I thank you,
monsieur," said he; "but, in the first place, to whom have I the honor
of speaking?"

"I sent you my name by your sergeant, my lord."

"Excuse him, monsieur, he is a Scotsman,--he could not retain it."

"I am called the Comte de la Fere, monsieur," said Athos, bowing.

"The Comte de la Fere?" said Monk, endeavoring to recollect the name.
"Pardon me, monsieur, but this appears to be the first time I have ever
heard that name. Do you fill any post at the court of France?"

"None; I am a simple gentleman."

"What dignity?"

"King Charles I. made me a knight of the Garter, and Queen Anne of
Austria has given me the cordon of the Holy Ghost. These are my only
dignities."

"The Garter! the Holy Ghost! Are you a knight of those two orders,
monsieur?"

"Yes."

"And on what occasions have such favors been bestowed upon you?"

"For services rendered to their majesties."

Monk looked with astonishment at this man, who appeared to him so simple
and so great at the same time. Then, as if he had renounced endeavoring
to penetrate this mystery of a simplicity and grandeur upon which the
stranger did not seem disposed to give him any other information than
that which he had already received,--"Did you present yourself yesterday
at our advanced posts?"

"And was sent back? Yes, my lord."

"Many officers, monsieur, would permit no one to enter their camp,
particularly on the eve of a probable battle. But I differ from my
colleagues, and like to leave nothing behind me. Every advice is good to
me; all danger is sent to me by God, and I weigh it in my hand with
the energy He has given me. So, yesterday, you were only sent back on
account of the