482 THE VICOMTE DE BRAGELOKNE. return; he wished to reproach him with his duplicity, and yet with reserve, but with sufficient spirit, nevertheless, to make him feel all the consequences of it, and force from him a part of his secret. He hoped, in short — thanks to that heat of expression which is to mysteries what the charge with the bayonet is to redoubts — to bring the mys- terious Aramis to some manifestation or other. But he found, in the vestibule of the palace, the valet de chambre, who closed the passage, while smiling upon him with a stupid air. "Monseigneur?" cried D'Artagnan, endeavoring to put him aside with his hand. Moved for an instant, the valet resumed his station. "Monseigneur?" said he. "Yes, to be sure; do you know me, imbecile?" "Yes, you are the Chevalier d'Artagnan." "Then let me pass." "It is of no use." "Why of no use?" "Because his greatness is not at home." '"What! his greatness is not at home? Where is he, then?" "Gone." "Gone?" "Yes." • "Whither?" "I don't know; but perhaps he tells Monsieur le Chevalier." "And how? where? in what fashion?" "In this letter, which he gave me for Monsieur le Cheva- lier." And the valet de chambre drew a letter from his pocket. "Give it me, then, you rascal," said D'Artagnan, snatching it from his hand. "Oh, yes," continued he, at the first line, "yes, I understand;" and he read: "Dear Friend: An affair of the most urgent nature calls me to a distant parish of my diocese. I hoped to see you again before I set out; but I lose that hope in thinking that you are going, no doubt, to remain two or three days at Belle-Isle with our dear Porthos. Amuse yourself as well as you can; but do not attempt to hold out against him at table. This is a counsel I might have given even u) Athos. in his most brilliant and best days. Adieu, de»r iriend; believe that I regret greatly not having better, and for a longer time, profited by vour excellent company."
