The table was too large to allow the arm of the prince to reach the hand of Madame; Raoul sprang forward to be their intermediary, and did it with so good a grace as to procure a flattering acknowledgement from the princess. “You know the contents of this letter, no doubt?” said Gaston to Raoul. “Yes, monseigneur; M. le Prince at first gave me the message verbally, but upon reflection his highness took up his pen.” “It is beautiful writing,” said Madame, “but I cannot read it.” “Will you read it to Madame, M. de Bragelonne?” said the duke. “Yes; read it, if you please, monsieur.” Raoul began to read, Monsieur giving again all his attention. The letter was conceived in these terms: “MONSEIGNEUR—The king is about to set out for the frontiers. You are aware the marriage of his majesty is concluded upon. The king has done me the honor to appoint me his marechal-des-logis for this journey, and as I knew with what joy his majesty would pass a day at Blois, I venture to ask your royal highness’s permission to mark the house you inhabit as our quarters. If, however, the suddenness of this request should create to your royal highness any embarrassment, I entreat you to say so by the messenger I send, a gentleman of my suite, M. le Vicomte de Bragelonne. My itinerary will depend on your royal highness’s determination, and instead of passing through Blois, we shall come through Vendome or Romorantin. I venture to hope that your royal highness will be pleased with my arrangement, it being the expression of my boundless desire to make myself agreeable to you.” “Nothing can be more gracious toward us,” said Madame, who had more than once consulted the looks of her husband during the reading of the letter. “The king here!” exclaimed she, in a rather louder tone than would have been necessary to preserve secrecy. “Monsieur,” said his royal highness in his turn, “you will offer my thanks to M. de Conde, and express to him my gratitude for the honor he has done me.” Raoul bowed. “On what day will his majesty arrive?” continued the prince. “The king, monseigneur, will in all probability arrive this evening.” “But how, then, could he have known my reply if it had been in the negative?” “I was desired, monseigneur, to return in all haste to Beaugency, to give counter-orders to the courier, who was himself to go back immediately with counter-orders to M. le Prince.” “His majesty is at Orleans, then?” “Much nearer, monseigneur; his majesty must by this time have arrived at Meung.” “Does the court accompany him?” “Yes, monseigneur.” “A propos, I forgot to ask you after M. le Cardinal.” “His eminence appears to enjoy good health, monseigneur.” “His nieces accompany him, no doubt?” “No, monseigneur; his eminence has ordered the Mesdemoiselles de Mancini to set out for Brouage. They will follow the left bank of the Loire, while the court will come by the right.