There, believe me, count, all will soon be over, and death will come quickly; it is called so often by this body, eaten up by its soul, and by this soul, which aspires to heaven." "Your majesty has a mother, a sister, and brothers; your majesty is the head of the family, and ought, therefore, to ask a long life of God, instead of imploring Him for a prompt death.

Your majesty is an exile, a fugitive, but you have right on your side; you ought to aspire to combats, dangers, business, and not to rest in heavens." "Count," said Charles II., with a smile of indescribable sadness, "have you ever heard of a king who reconquered his kingdom with one servant the age of Parry, and with three hundred crowns which that servant carried in his purse ?" "No, sire; but I have heard--and that more than once--that a dethroned king has recovered his kingdom with a firm will, perseverance, some friends, and a million skillfully employed." "But you cannot have understood me.

The million I asked of my brother Louis was refused me." "Sire," said Athos, "will your majesty grant me a few minutes, and listen attentively to what remains for me to say to you ?" Charles II.

looked earnestly at Athos.

"Willingly, monsieur," said he.
"Then I will show your majesty the way," resumed the count, directing his steps towards the house.