Promise me no more than this, for, indeed, more you cannot give, and it would be a crime to deceive me, since you call yourself my friend." Aramis waited in silence.

"Monseigneur," he resumed, after a moment's reflection, "I admire the firm, sound sense which dictates your words; I am happy to have discovered my monarch's mind." "Again, again! oh, God! for mercy's sake," cried the prince, pressing his icy hands upon his clammy brow, "do not play with me! I have no need to be a king to be the happiest of men." "But I, monseigneur, wish you to be a king for the good of humanity." "Ah!" said the prince, with fresh distrust inspired by the word; "ah! with what, then, has humanity to reproach my brother ?" "I forgot to say, monseigneur, that if you would allow me to guide you, and if you consent to become the most powerful monarch in Christendom, you will have promoted the interests of all the friends whom I devote to the success of your cause, and these friends are numerous." "Numerous ?" "Less numerous than powerful, monseigneur." "Explain yourself." "It is impossible; I will explain, I swear before Heaven, on that day that I see you sitting on the throne of France." "But my brother ?" "You shall decree his fate.

Do you pity him ?" "Him, who leaves me to perish in a dungeon?
No, no.

For him I have no pity!" "So much the better." "He might have himself come to this prison, have taken me by the hand, and have said, 'My brother, Heaven created us to love, not to contend with one another.

I come to you.