"But, my lord, before you spoke of M. de Bragelonne's heart, you spoke to me of your own. Do you mean me to effect the cure of two hearts at the same time?" "Perfectly true, madame: but you will do me the justice to admit that I have long discontinued a useless pursuit, acknowledging that my own wound is incurable." "My lord," said Mary, collecting herself for a moment before she spoke, "M. de Bragelonne is happy, for he loves and is beloved. He has no need of such a physician as I can be." "M. de Bragelonne," said Buckingham, "is on the very eve of experiencing a serious misfortune, and he has greater need than ever of sympathy and affection." "Explain yourself, my lord," inquired Raoul anxiously. "No; gradually I will explain myself; but, if you desire it, I can tell Miss Grafton what you may not listen to yourself." "My lord, you are putting me to the torture; you know something you wish to conceal from me?" "I know that Miss Mary Grafton is the most charming object that a heart ill at ease could, possibly meet with in its way through life." "I have already told you that the Vicomte de Bragelonne loves elsewhere," said the young girl. "He is wrong, then." "Do you assume to know, my lord, that I am wrong?" "Yes." "Whom is it that he loves, then?" exclaimed the young girl. "He loves a woman who is unworthy of him," said Buckingham, with that calm, collected manner peculiar to an Englishman. Miss Grafton uttered a cry, which, together with the remark that Buckingham had that moment made, spread over De Bragelonne's features a deadly paleness, arising from the sudden surprise, and also from a vague fear of impending misfortune. "My lord," he exclaimed, "You have just pronounced words which compel me, without a moment's delay, to seek their explanation at Paris." "You will remain here," said Buckingham, "because you have no right to leave: and no one has the right to quit the service of the king for that of any woman, even were she as worthy of being loved as Mary Grafton is." "You will tell me all, then?" "I will, on condition that you will remain." "I will remain, if you will promise to speak openly, and without reserve." Thus far had their conversation proceeded, and Buckingham, in all probability, was on the point of revealing, not indeed all that had taken place, but at least all he was aware of, when one of the king's attendants appeared at the end of the terrace, and advanced toward the summer-house where the king was sitting with Lucy Stewart. A courier followed him, covered with dust from head to foot, and who seemed as if he had but a few moments before dismounted from his horse. "The courier from France! Madame's courier!" exclaimed Raoul, recognizing the princess's livery; and while the attendant and the courier advanced toward the king, Buckingham and Miss Grafton exchanged a look full of intelligence with each other. CHAPTER XLV. THE COURIER FROM MADAME.