"Oh, the king has his musketeers to take care of him," said Charles, quietly; "I know that perfectly well, for I was kept dancing attendance in his antechamber at Blois. He has M. d'Artagnan, and what better guardian could the king have than M. d'Artagnan? I should make myself perfectly easy with twenty storms of passion, such as Bragelonne might display, if I had four guardians like D'Artagnan." "But I entreat your majesty, who is so good and kind, to reflect a little." "Stay," said Charles II., presenting the letter to the duke, "read, and answer yourself what you would do in my place." Buckingham slowly took hold of Madame's letter, and, trembling with emotion, read the following words: "For your own sake, for mine, for the honor and safety of every one, send M. de Bragelonne back to France immediately. "Your devoted sister, "HENRIETTA." "Well, Villiers, what do you say?" "Really, sire, I have nothing to say,"' replied the duke, stupefied. "Nay, would you, of all persons," said the king, artfully, "advise me not to listen to my sister when she writes so urgently?" "Oh, no, no, sire; and yet--" "You've not read the postscript, Villiers; it is under the fold of the letter, and escaped me at first; read it." And as the duke turned down a fold of the letter, he read. "A thousand kind remembrances to those who love me." The duke's head sank gradually on his breast; the paper trembled in his fingers, as if it had been changed to lead. The king paused for a moment, and, seeing that Buckingham did not speak, "He must follow his destiny, as we ours," continued the king; "every man has his share of grief in this world: I have had my own--I have had that of others who belong to me--and have thus had a double weight of woe to endure! But the deuce take all my cares now! Go and bring our friend here, Villiers." The duke opened the trellised door of the summer-house, and pointing at Raoul and Mary, who were walking together side by side, said, "What a cruel blow, sire, for poor Miss Grafton!" "Nonsense; call him," said Charles II., knitting his black brows together; "every one seems to be sentimental here. There, look at Miss Stewart, who is wiping her eyes--now deuce take the French fellow!" The duke called to Raoul, and taking Miss Grafton by the hand, he led her toward the king. "Monsieur de Bragelonne," said Charles II., "did you not ask me the day before yesterday for permission to return to Paris?" "Yes, sire," replied Raoul, greatly puzzled by this address. "And I refused you, I think?" "Yes, sire." "Were you not angry with me for it?" "No, sire; your majesty had no doubt excellent reasons for withholding it; for you are so wise and so good that everything you do is well done." "I alleged, I believe, as a reason that the king of France had not recalled you?" "Yes, sire, that was the reason you assigned."