ould be wrong; what I wanted to say--"

"I know quite well, monsieur. You would ask me if I have not been to
Blois?"

"Exactly so."

"I have not been there; I have not even seen the person to whom you
allude."

Raoul's voice trembled as he pronounced these words. Athos, a sovereign
judge in all matters of delicacy, immediately added, "Raoul, you answer
me with a painful feeling; you are unhappy."

"Very, monsieur; you have forbidden me to go to Blois, or to see
Mademoiselle de la Valliere again." Here the young man stopped. That
dear name, so delightful to pronounce, made his heart bleed, although so
sweet upon his lips.

"And I have acted rightly, Raoul." Athos hastened to reply. "I am
neither an unjust nor a barbarous father; I respect true love; but I
look forward for you to a future--an immense future. A new reign is
about to break upon us like a fresh dawn. War calls upon a young king
full of chivalric spirit. What is wanting to assist this heroic ardor
is a battalion of young and free lieutenants who would rush to the fight
with enthusiasm, and fall, crying: '_Vive le Roi!_' instead of 'Adieu,
my dear wife.' You understand that, Raoul. However brutal my reasoning
may appear, I conjure you, then, to believe me, and to turn away your
thoughts from those early days of youth in which you took up this habit
of love--days of effeminate carelessness, which soften the heart and
render it incapable of consuming those strong bitter draughts called
glory and adversity. Therefore, Raoul, I repeat to you, you should see
in my counsel only the desire of being useful to you, only the ambition
of seeing you prosper. I believe you capable of becoming a remarkable
man. March alone, and you will march better, and more quickly."

"You have commanded, monsieur," replied Raoul, "and I obey."

"Commanded!" cried Athos. "Is it thus you reply to me? I have commanded
you! Oh! you distort my words as you misconceive my intentions. I do not
command you; I request you."

"No, monsieur, you have commanded," said Raoul, persistently; "had you
requested me, your request is even more effective than your order. I
have not seen Mademoiselle de la Valliere again."

"But you are unhappy! you are unhappy!" insisted Athos.

Raoul made no reply.

"I find you pale; I find you dull. The sentiment is strong, then?"

"It is a passion," replied Raoul.

"No--a habit."

"Monsieur, you know I have traveled much, that I have passed two years