t time, and whom I know but as my countrymen."

"It is enough," said Athos, bowing low, "if the life of three men can
purchase yours, madame."

"I thank you, gentlemen. But hear me. My husband, King of England, is
leading so wretched a life that death would be a welcome exchange for
him. He has asked for the hospitality of France, and it has been refused
him."

"What is to be done?" said Athos. "I have the honour to inquire from
your majesty what you desire Monsieur D'Herblay (as Aramis was named)
and myself to do in your service. We are ready."

"I, madame," said Aramis, "follow M. de la Fere wherever he leads, even
to death, without demanding any reason; but when it concerns your
majesty's service, no one precedes me."

"Well, then, gentlemen," said the queen, "since it is thus, and since
you are willing to devote yourselves to the service of a poor princess
whom everybody has forsaken, this is what must be done for me. The king
is alone with a few gentlemen whom he may lose any day, and he is
surrounded by the Scotch, whom he distrusts. I ask much, too much,
perhaps, for I have no title to ask it. Go to England, join the king, be
his friends, his bodyguard; be with him on the field of battle and in
his house. Gentlemen, in exchange I can only promise you my love; next
to my husband and my children, and before everyone else, you will have
my prayers and a sister's love."

"Madame," said Athos, "when must we set out? we are ready!"

The queen, moved to tears, held out her hand, which they kissed, and
then, after receiving letters for the king, they withdrew.

"Well," said Aramis, when they were alone, "what do you think of this
business, my dear count?"

"Bad!" replied Athos. "Very bad!"

"But you entered on it with enthusiasm."

"As I shall ever do when a great principle is to be defended. Kings are
only strong by the aid of the aristocracy; but aristocracy cannot exist
without kings. Let us then support monarchy in order to support
ourselves."

"We shall be murdered there," said Aramis. "I hate the English--they are
so coarse, like all people who drink beer."

"Would it be better to remain here?" said Athos. "And take a turn in the
Bastille, by the cardinal's order? Believe me, Aramis, there is little
left to regret. We avoid imprisonment, and we take the part of heroes--
the choice is easy!"

While Athos and Aramis were preparing to go to England on behalf of the
king, Mazarin had decided to employ