The Man in the Iron Mask

Patt

red, making another sign to D'Artagnan from under the hangings. The latter hurried after him, with Porthos in the rear, and after threading a labyrinth of corridors, introduced him to M. Percerin's room. The old man, with his sleeves turned up, was gathering up

musketeers will excuse me,

know that, my dear Monsieur Percerin

y dear s

me, my dear monsieur; and I know that

do not deny it; but that they may be the most beautiful in the word, t

ore than you require, Monsieur Percerin," sai

e contradicted, even in his whims; but D'Artagnan did not pay the lea

," he continued, "I

claimed Perc

rin attempted a bow, which found no favor in the eyes of the terrible Porthos,

nd of mine," conc

monsieur," said Pe

? but

I have

valet as much," broke in

rcerin; "I am nearly a

ntiously, "there is always time to b

an ominous sign indeed in

t liberty to confer

oday. Well, I will say one more word to you, which will bring you on your knee

thing." Then turning to Porthos, "Monsieur le bar

t the tapestry was raised to introduce a new speaker in the dialog

gnan, "you will make a dress fo

ll not say n

ll; you will make

ible within

refuse, because the dress is

impossible," returned

u," said a mild voice at the door, a silvery voice which ma

erblay!" crie

murmured D

ishop!" sa

Come, come, M. Percerin, make the baron's dress; and I will answer for it you will gratify M. Fo

ior even to D'Artagnan's, for the tailor bowed in assent, and turni

in an undertone, "You see before you, my dear monsieur, a man who considers himself disgraced, if you measure

keenly on the Baron Porthos. "Monsieur," he said, "if you will com

"how do you make t

e of quality, who are too sensitive to allow low-born fellows to touch them. We know some susceptible persons who will not put up with

I believe

nsolatory coincidence, and you shall

can it be done?" ask

owing, "if you will deign t

But, clear-sighted as he was, Aramis deceived himself. Porthos and Moliere left together: D'Artagnan remained with Percerin. Why? From curiosity, doubtless; probably to enjoy a little

u, also, is it

iled. "No

go to Vaux

dear D'Artagnan, that a poor bishop of Vannes is n

laughing, "and do we write

Aramis, "I have long ago g

vinced. As for Percerin, he was once more

iling, "that we are greatly boring th

u, my friend." Then aloud, "Well, then, let us leave; I have no f

t I- I

ar to say to M. Percerin? Why d

rtagnan. But, at the same time, I hope you will believe that I can never

it was, had not a whit escaped him; and he knew that, in that impenetrable mind, every thing, even the most apparently trivial, was desig

"Stay, by all means," he said, "this is what it is." Then turning towards the tailor

on, for the third time, even les

his hands the stuff upon which he was engaged. "My dear Percerin,"

hought D'Artagnan;

ish that I should make him a dress, similar to those of the Epicureans?" answered Percerin. And whi

?" asked D'Artagnan,

ur dear D'Artagnan shall know all our secrets this evening. Yes, friend

f which La Fontaine, Loret, Pelisson, and Moliere are

put our poets in uniform, and enrol

is getting up for the king. Be at ease; if that is

s nothing to do with this part of it; the secret whi

hat, I prefer not to know it," said D

, opening a side-door with his right hand,

m quite in the dar

tunity," as is said i

dresses for the king, are you not? One in brocade; one in hunting

ow all that, monseigneur?

e a hunt, a banquet, concert, promenade and reception;

verything,

o in addition," mu

u are - what nobody will know - what only the king, Mademoiselle de la Valliere, and myself do know, is

s precisely what I have come

peared, on reflection, so exaggerated, so ridiculous, so monstrous to M. Percerin that first he laughed to himself, then aloud, and finish

not?" said Aramis. "But D'Artagnan, who is incarnate wisdom itse

th his wonderful instinct that they had only been skirmis

said Percerin,

does M. Fouquet give the king a

Percerin. D'Arta

a succession of surprises, like that of which we

irab

e we intend. M. Lebrun here is a

sses were highly elaborated. That is why I at once agreed to make him a co

rselves of it; but just now, M. Lebrun is not in want of the dresses

o many strange and startling aspects wore the proposal which Aramis had just hazarded. "The king's dresses! Give the k

nd more calm and smiling. "Help me now to pers

not exactly

finding his portrait on his arrival at Vaux; and that the portrait, which be a striki

ible was this reasoning. "Yes, my dear Aramis, you are right;

et's." Then scanning Percerin, after noticing D'Artagnan's hesitat

y, th

up with M. Fouquet's idea; you dread appearing to flatter the king. A noble spirit, M. Percerin, a noble spirit!" The tailor stammered. "It would, indeed, be a very pretty compliment to pa

ted Percerin, r

re M. Fouquet's words - 'I shall be constrained to say to the king, "Sire, I had intended to present your majesty with your port

when he is seeking to please the king! Oh, what a hateful word you have uttered, monseigneur. Oppose! Oh, 'tis not I who said it, Heave

ere was an intrigue at the bottom of it, whether comedy or tragedy; he was at his w

being still in the workmen's hands; and these masterpieces he successively fitted upon four lay figures, which, imported into France in the time of Concini, had been given to Percerin II. by Marshal d'Onore, after t

deceive you, and on canvas we shall lack that exact resemblance which is absol

wanting, and on that head, you will agre

ramis, quietly, "and that because o

nd ornaments with the closest fidelity - a process

meaning of this imbroglio?" the

amis: "M. Lebrun, close your

he vexed painter, "the l

a pattern of the materials, for exampl

ebrun, "I would ans

int of the whole thing; they want a pattern of each of t

reover, by the feigned good-nature of Aramis, cut out

s your opinion, is it not?"

rtagnan, "my opinion is th

s your friend," said the

Jesuit that you are, I will not be your accomplice; and to prevent it, 'tis time I le

patterns, "for I have done, and shall be glad

into the closet, Aramis put his hand on his pocket to assure himself